The height of several hundred Norwegian mountains might be recorded wrong

According to a new book by Sveinung Engeland, numerous mountains in Norway might need their height remeasured.

A few of Norway’s highest mountains, such as Glittertind and Store Skagastøltind, have already gotten their heights adjusted.

Sveinung Engeland‘s new book Høyde over havet (in English: Altitude) addresses the unknown history behind some of Norway’s mountains, as well as how their height has been recorded throughout time.

“I always imagined that mountains stand still, but that was until I discovered that there have been several different heights recorded for the same mountains throughout history,” Engeland told NRK.

More accuracy

It is not unheard of for mountains to have their height adjusted. Last year, the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest, was measured again and discovered to be a meter taller than previously thought. Its official height is now marked at 8849 meters.

Norway’s second-largest mountain, Glittertind, was remeasured last year. Its height was reduced by a comparatively whopping five meters.

“This is because the ice and glacier cape at the top has melted. It is something that will happen in several places,” Engeland said.

The author points out that in recent years, the Norwegian Mapping Authority has mapped the entire country with laser measurements from aircraft.

The from-the-air method allows for more accurate height surveys than previously obtained, as well as many more measurements, according to Engeland.

The Norwegian Mapping Authority is currently in the process of completing Norway’s largest surveying project. So, it remains yet to be seen whether more of Norway’s mountains will reach new highs or lows.

Source: #NorwayTodayTravel

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