This week’s new questions

What governs the maximum height of mountains on Earth? Could a mountain as high as Olympus Mons on Mars (21.9 kilometres, more than double the height of Everest) be possible on Earth? And do we actually know how the ancient Romans pronounced Latin words?

19 April 2023

Aerial View of Mount Everest 8,848 m (29,029 ft), Himalaya, Nepal, Asia. — Bim/Getty Images

What governs the maximum height of mountains on Earth? Could a mountain as high as Olympus Mons on Mars (21.9 kilometres, more than double the height of Everest) be possible on our planet?

John Howes,

Cardiff, UK

Bernini statue detail of Gange with Latin words engraved on a wall Roman Capitol; Shutterstock ID 131482886; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: - — Taraki/Shutterstock

Do we actually know how the ancient Romans pronounced Latin words?

Richard Lachlan,

Sydney, Australia

To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.

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