Question

Ojos del Salado is the highest mountain in Chile, with a peak at about 6900 meters above sea level. The Atacama Trench, just off the coast of Peru and Chile, is about 8100 meters below sea level (at its lowest point).

a. What is the difference in elevations between Mount Ojos del Salado and the Atacama Trench?

b. Is the elevation halfway between the peak of Mount Ojos del Salado and the Atacama Trench above sea level or below sea level?

Explain without calculating the exact value. c. What elevation is halfway between the peak of Mount Ojos del Salado and the Atacama Trench?

Answer 1

A) add the two elevations together:

6900 + 8100 = 15,000 meters.

B) Divide the total distance by 2:

15,000 / 2 = 7,500 meters.

Because the distance to the halfway point is larger than the elevation of Ojos del Salado, the elevation would be below seal level.

C Add the halfway point from part B to the lowest elevation:

-8100 + 7500 = -600 meters