List of mountain peaks by prominence

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

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Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/list-of-mountain-peaks-by-prominence

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the highest prominence peak?Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters)
2. What is the ultra-prominent threshold?Often defined as 1,500 meters (4,921 feet)
3. What is topographic prominence?Topographic prominence is how much a mountain rises above the lowest point on the ridge that connects it to a higher mountain. It shows how independent a peak is from its surroundings.
4. Why do climbers care about topographic prominence?A high‑prominence peak usually means a longer approach and a tougher climb, so climbers use it to gauge how hard a mountain might be.

Topographic Prominence: The vertical distance between a mountain peak and its key col, indicating its isolation from higher terrain.
Key Col: The lowest point on the ridge connecting a peak to any higher peak, crucial for prominence calculation.
Massif: A compact group of mountains or a large mountain or mountain range forming an independent part of a chain.
Subsidiary Summit: A peak that is not as prominent and is considered a secondary feature of a larger mountain or massif.