Why in NEWS
A mountaineer from Kerala and his team got stranded on Mount Denali, North America’s highest peak, while attempting to display a banner honoring the armed forces as part of Operation Sindoor.
Key Terms / Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Mount Denali / McKinley | Tallest peak in North America (6,190m), located in Alaska |
| Seven Summits | The highest mountains on each of the seven continents |
| Wrangellia Composite Terrane | Ancient oceanic plate involved in Denali’s formation |
| Operation Sindoor | A tribute initiative to honor India’s armed forces |
| Koyukon People | Indigenous Alaskan tribe after whom Denali is named |
News in Simple Terms
During a mission titled Operation Sindoor, a mountaineer from Kerala and his team became trapped on Mount Denali, a peak known for its brutal weather, glaciers, and vertical climbs. The objective was to raise a banner in honor of Indian armed forces on the summit. Rescue efforts were coordinated amidst high-altitude challenges.
Key Features of Mount Denali
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Height | 6,190 meters – highest in North America |
| Location | Alaska Range, within Denali National Park, USA |
| Global Ranking | 3rd-highest of the Seven Summits (after Everest and Aconcagua) |
| Geology | Formed by tectonic collision between Wrangellia plate and North American plate (~60 million years ago) |
| Snow & Glaciers | Covered in snowfields, source of glaciers like Kahiltna, Muldrow, Peters, Ruth, Traleika |
| Twin Summits | Two major peaks, with the southern summit being the highest |
| Name Change | Renamed to Denali in 2015 to honor native heritage, but reverted to Mount McKinley in 2025 by US President |
In a Nutshell
Mnemonic: DENALI STANDS TALL
- Denali
- Ever-changing weather
- North America’s tallest
- Alaskan Range
- Legacy of Koyukon people
- Indian tribute mission
- Snowfields and glaciers
- Tectonic uplift
- Armed Forces honored
- Leading to rescue efforts
- Latest name change to McKinley
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following is true about Mount Denali?
A) It is the highest peak in South America
B) It was renamed Denali from McKinley in 2025
C) It is part of the Himalayas
D) It is the highest peak in North America - The Wrangellia Composite Terrane, associated with Mount Denali’s formation, is:
A) A volcanic field in Antarctica
B) A sedimentary basin in Africa
C) An ancient oceanic plate
D) A desert formation in Australia - Operation Sindoor was launched to:
A) Celebrate mountaineering achievements
B) Promote tourism in Alaska
C) Honor the Indian armed forces
D) Conduct geological surveys
Prelims Answers with Explanation
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Mount Denali is the highest mountain in North America |
| 2 | C | Wrangellia is an oceanic plate involved in Denali’s tectonic formation |
| 3 | C | Operation Sindoor aimed to honor India’s armed forces through a symbolic summit tribute |
