Which mountains have the most extensive views in the world?

Answer 1

It has often been said that Mt. Diablo in California has one of the most extensive views in the world. Though it is not even 4,000 feet above sea level, the view eastward is extensive because the earth's surface is rising to the crest of the Sierra Nevada even as the general curvature of the earth is downward. In time's past, when the air in the atmosphere was less polluted, one could spot the shining cap of Mt. Shasta from Diablo's peak, though a straight line between the two would pass through the earth. But because light bends downward as it moves into different layers of air density (unlike sound, which bends upward -- why is that?) the two summits are in a line of sight despite being below each other's horizons in straight line paths.

I would expect the most extensive views in the world to be from some of the highest volcanoes, such as Kilimanjaro or Denali or Chimborazo. Everest is visible from the distant lowlands of India, as well as from an extensive area of the plateau of Tibet, but much of its view also is blocked by other nearby high mountains. Mountains that dominate their region by being more isolated may have more extensive views than other higher mountains.

I would like to see a more definitive discussion of this question. Is there a computer program that can calculate view distances using digital topography and line-of-sight, while taking into account the refraction of light through the atmosphere?

Answer 2

Andes mountain is the world greatest mountain the world