K2 vs Mexico City Elevation Comparison

Known as the 'Savage Mountain' due to its extreme difficulty of ascent. Has the second-highest fatality rate among 8000m peaks.

Climate Impact: Severe weather conditions including extreme cold and sudden storms. Creates significant wind patterns affecting local climate.

Mexico City occupies a high-altitude basin known as the Valley of Mexico, surrounded by volcanic mountains of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. This valley, at an average elevation of 2,240 meters, was once filled by a series of interconnected lakes (including Lake Texcoco) and is ringed by mountains reaching nearly 4,000 meters. The southern edge of the city is bounded by the Sierra de Ajusco-Chichinauhtzin volcanic field, while the Sierra de las Cruces forms the western boundary. The eastern edge features the iconic volcanoes Popocatépetl (5,426m) and Iztaccíhuatl (5,230m), though these lie just outside the city limits. The basin's geology includes layers of lacustrine and volcanic deposits, creating a complex subsurface that influences both groundwater movement and seismic behavior.

Climate Impact: The city's high elevation creates a unique climate classification known as a subtropical highland climate. Despite its tropical latitude, the 2,240-meter elevation moderates temperatures year-round, with average daily highs rarely exceeding 25°C. The surrounding mountains create distinct microclimates, with temperature variations of up to 10°C between the basin floor and the higher elevations of Ajusco. The elevation also affects atmospheric pressure, resulting in about 23% less oxygen than at sea level, impacting both human physiology and combustion processes. The mountains trap pollution within the valley during winter temperature inversions, while summer monsoon rains are enhanced by orographic lift along the mountain slopes. The varying elevations create unique ecological zones, from high-altitude grasslands (zacatonal) above 3,500 meters to pine-oak forests on the mountain slopes.