Altitude of Vinson Masif

Publication Year: 1986.

Altitude of Vinson Massif . The original elevation was established in the early 1960s by using photoalidade techniques based on altimeter elevations. At that time, the elevation was found to be 5140 meters or 16,863 feet. During the 1979-80 field season, a USGS team was again in the area for the purpose of obtaining geodetic data. Satellite Doppler positions were established for five stations. Elevations were also determined at those points and vertical angles were turned from them to Vinson Massif. Two of the angles were discarded from the solution because of possible false sightings. The vertical angles from the remaining three stations gave a mean elevation of 4897.3 meters or 16,067.2 feet. [Apparently the peak remains the highest in the group since other altitudes were based on the elevation of the Vinson Massif. The other altitudes will be 243 meters or 796 feet lower.—Editor. ]

John A. Kelmelis, U.S. Geological Survey