Climbers have collected new data from North America’s tallest mountain to more accurately determine the height of its highest point.
Officials say the new summit elevation measurement on Alaska’s Mount McKinley is expected to be announced in late August and will replace the current official elevation of 20,320 feet.
The U.S. Geological Survey is the lead agency working on the project, along with partners that include University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute. Officials say the data collected during a June climb is now being analyzed.
The survey taken on the mountain last month used GPS instruments. Officials say that method provides more defined elevations than technology that was used in 2013 to calculate a slightly lower elevation than the official measurement.
