The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway experienced a malfunction on Friday, causing hundreds of people to be stranded at about 7,500 feet elevation for hours until they were rescued and brought down by early Saturday morning. The incident led to some health issues among the stranded, but the tramway resumed normal operations on Sunday.
"Elevation" is a sci-fi action thriller set in a near-future America where humanity is threatened by giant "Reaper" insects that dominate areas below 8,000 feet. Starring Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin, the film follows a father's perilous journey to secure medical supplies for his son, with the help of a misanthropic scientist. Despite lacking originality, the film offers tight pacing and solid performances, delivering an entertaining, if familiar, monster movie experience.
A new nationwide coordinating system for studying altitude will lead to changes in the listed elevations of Colorado's 14ers and the capitol steps marker in Denver, as the study shows discrepancies in their heights. The federal government will switch to this new system in 2026, impacting mapping across the country, and the study, led by a scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has taken 15 years and will redefine the American Vertical Datum.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has remeasured Colorado's 14ers, resulting in a 2-foot reduction in their heights due to more precise GPS measurements and a better understanding of gravity and the Earth's curvature. Some peaks have seen changes in their rankings, with Sunshine Peak getting a promotion and Huron Peak being temporarily humbled. The updated measurements have implications for various fields and will require adjustments to town welcome-sign elevations, but they ensure that all fourteeners maintain their coveted status of being over 14,000 feet.
The formation of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, was not solely due to a single massive tectonic collision as previously believed. A new study suggests that the mountains began their ascent around 63-61 million years ago due to the subduction of the Indian tectonic plate. The collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates, which occurred 45-59 million years ago, further elevated the mountains. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the formation of mountain ranges and may provide insights into past climate and biodiversity in the region.
The San Francisco Giants are making adjustments ahead of their rare Mexico City series against the Oakland Athletics. The ballpark's elevation is about 7,200 feet, which is 2,000 feet higher than Coors Field. The Giants training and strength and conditioning staff has been putting additional supplements in players' lockers over the past week to better prepare their bodies for an unusual environment. The Giants expect to find themselves watching the rest of the ballpark more than usual during breaks in the action, with pregame mariachi shows and additional ones between innings.
Arijit Gupta has used data from various sources to highlight the three highest mountains on each of the world's continents. Mount Everest, towering over the Himalayas, is the highest mountain peak on Earth by elevation. South America's crowning peaks are seen along the Andes Mountain range, starting with the highest mountain peak in the Southern Hemisphere—Aconcagua. Africa is home to three of the world's highest peaks, and some of the most diverse mountain-side climates surrounding them. The Caucasus Mountains at the edge of Eastern Europe contains the continent's highest mountains. Oceania's highest peak is Puncak Jaya, also known by other local names including Carstensz Pyramid, the mountain of which Puncak Jaya is a distinct summit. Antarctica's mountains are relatively low-lying and often completely covered in ice and snow.