Was "Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth" taught in school?

Yes. This geography idea was commonly taught, especially during the 1980s.

Is "Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth" still taught in school?

Everest is the highest mountain above sea level, but Mauna Kea in Hawaii is taller when measured from its base on the ocean floor. The difference depends on how "tallest" is defined.

What you were taught

Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth

What we know now

Everest is the highest mountain above sea level, but Mauna Kea in Hawaii is taller when measured from its base on the ocean floor. The difference depends on how "tallest" is defined.

Updated understanding emerged around 1983

Source Comments

Geography

Common questions

Was "Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth" taught in school?: Yes. This geography idea was commonly taught, especially during the 1980s.
Is "Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth" true?: No. Everest is the highest mountain above sea level, but Mauna Kea in Hawaii is taller when measured from its base on the ocean floor.
When was this understanding updated?: Updated understanding emerged around 1983.

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