Sierra Nevada vs. Ozark Mountains: Which Range Reaches Higher?

Sierra Nevada vs. Ozark Mountains: Which Range Reaches Higher?

The Sierra Nevada is significantly higher than the Ozark Mountains. The highest point in the Sierra Nevada is Mount Whitney, which towers at 14,505 feet (4,421 meters) above sea level, making it the tallest summit in the contiguous United States. In contrast, the highest point in the Ozarks is Taum Sauk Mountain in Missouri, with an elevation of 2,402 feet (732 meters). The Sierra Nevada's dramatic alpine peaks are a result of tectonic uplift along the eastern edge of the Pacific Plate, while the Ozarks are a heavily eroded, ancient plateau region.