A world of soaring peaks and pristine snow, fabulous rock and ice formations, striking and tenacious wildlife, stunning lakes and plenty more, the Everest region is often counted among the planet's most beautiful places. For those who have the honour of witnessing this
beauty first hand while Everest Base Camp trekking, there are plenty of sights that will linger in the mind long after the journey is complete. The breathtaking vistas that greet trekkers as they make their way to the legendary Base Camp are a testament to the grandeur of
nature, and the geography of the region is every bit as rich and fascinating as the scenes it creates. Read on to learn more about the physical attributes of this mighty mountain.
The Geology of Mount Everest
.jpg "Everest Base Camp trekking")
The tallest mountain in the world - standing at 8,850 metres above sea level, and growing gradually taller year by year - Mount Everest is an impressive enough sight to behold without knowing anything about its formation. But understanding something of its geology
makes it all the more impressive. Those who go Everest Base Camp trekking do so across the base of a mountain formed from rock so ancient it is almost impossible to comprehend, with its very highest parts made of limestone, once part of the prehistoric seabed. Created
when the Indian and Eurasian continental plates crashed into each other, the mountain's iconic shape is in fact formed by three layers of rock that thrust into each other during this dramatic event.
The Khumbu Glacier
As with many mountain ranges on Earth, the Himalayas are home to numerous glaciers, formed by centuries' worth of layered snow that turns to ice and starts to shift and flow - very slowly - under its own weight. The destination of the Everest Base Camp trekking route
is located on the back of the Khumbu Glacier - which, with high points of up to 7,600 metres, is the tallest in the world. This glacier is the cause of one of the most dramatic sights in the region: the Khumbu Icefall, a section of the glacier in which the ice flows at a faster rate
than elsewhere, causing crevasses to open with little or no warning. It's a reminder for many of the power of nature and why it is worthy of respect.
Flora and Fauna
The wildlife might not be the first feature that comes to mind when people think of the Everest region, but there are in fact ample opportunities to see some interesting flora and fauna while Everest Base Camp trekking. The lower slopes consist of a forested zone with
diverse trees, birds and mammals, but there is life higher up as well. Beyond the domesticated yak, there are a number of creatures to be found - even on some of the higher reaches of the route - including the tenacious Himalayan tahr, a relative of the wild goat, and some impressive birdlife including bar-headed geese and Himalayan griffons.
Source: EzineArticles
beauty first hand while Everest Base Camp trekking, there are plenty of sights that will linger in the mind long after the journey is complete. The breathtaking vistas that greet trekkers as they make their way to the legendary Base Camp are a testament to the grandeur of
nature, and the geography of the region is every bit as rich and fascinating as the scenes it creates. Read on to learn more about the physical attributes of this mighty mountain.
The Geology of Mount Everest
The tallest mountain in the world - standing at 8,850 metres above sea level, and growing gradually taller year by year - Mount Everest is an impressive enough sight to behold without knowing anything about its formation. But understanding something of its geology
makes it all the more impressive. Those who go Everest Base Camp trekking do so across the base of a mountain formed from rock so ancient it is almost impossible to comprehend, with its very highest parts made of limestone, once part of the prehistoric seabed. Created
when the Indian and Eurasian continental plates crashed into each other, the mountain's iconic shape is in fact formed by three layers of rock that thrust into each other during this dramatic event.
The Khumbu Glacier
As with many mountain ranges on Earth, the Himalayas are home to numerous glaciers, formed by centuries' worth of layered snow that turns to ice and starts to shift and flow - very slowly - under its own weight. The destination of the Everest Base Camp trekking route
is located on the back of the Khumbu Glacier - which, with high points of up to 7,600 metres, is the tallest in the world. This glacier is the cause of one of the most dramatic sights in the region: the Khumbu Icefall, a section of the glacier in which the ice flows at a faster rate
than elsewhere, causing crevasses to open with little or no warning. It's a reminder for many of the power of nature and why it is worthy of respect.
Flora and Fauna
The wildlife might not be the first feature that comes to mind when people think of the Everest region, but there are in fact ample opportunities to see some interesting flora and fauna while Everest Base Camp trekking. The lower slopes consist of a forested zone with
diverse trees, birds and mammals, but there is life higher up as well. Beyond the domesticated yak, there are a number of creatures to be found - even on some of the higher reaches of the route - including the tenacious Himalayan tahr, a relative of the wild goat, and some impressive birdlife including bar-headed geese and Himalayan griffons.
Source: EzineArticles
Comments
Post a Comment