Glencoe World Geography

Chapter 23: The Physical Geography of South Asia

"Mount Everest"


Introduction
Expeditions to Mount Everest still capture people's imaginations, even though today many mountaineers have reached the summit. Advances in equipment and technology have made it easier for present-day climbers to overcome physical geography and reach "the top of the world." In this activity, you will learn more about the formation of the Himalaya, early attempts to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and the challenges that mountaineers still face there.

Destination Title: Nova Online Adventure: Everest

Directions
Start at the "Everest" page of the PBS Nova Online Adventure Web site.
  • Click on Earth, Wind, & Ice and view the pages Birth of the Himalaya, Earthquake in the Himalaya, and Anatomy of a Glacier.
  • Click on Climb (North & South Routes). Make sure you browse both routes.
  • Click on History & Culture and then click on and read Early Everest Attempts.

Using the information you gathered from this site, answer the following questions.

1
How have tectonic plates and glaciers shaped the Himalaya?
2
Why do earthquakes occur in the Himalaya?
3
What specific difficulties do present-day mountaineers encounter on Mount Everest as a result of physical geography and the weather?
4
What unique challenges faced mountaineers on early Everest attempts?
5
Using your research, write a short story about reaching the summit of Mount Everest, often called the journey to the top of the world. Include details about the physical geography of the route taken, the challenges faced by the climbers, and the view from the summit.
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