This map was published by Raj Bhagat P in 2023 as part of the initiative #30DayMapChallenge.
The map shows the distance from each point on the Earth's surface to the centre of the Earth. Although the Earth is usually modelled as a sphere, its actual shape is an oblate spheroid, meaning that it is flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator.
The unique shape of the Earth means that the equator, at sea level, is 6,378 kilometres from the centre of the Earth, while the poles are 6,356 kilometres from the centre of the Earth, 22 kilometres closer. This is evident on the map, with the greatest distances from the centre of the Earth (in brown) prevailing in the equatorial zone and the closest zones (in blue) in the polar regions.
As a result, Everest, the highest point on Earth relative to sea level at 8,849 metres, is not the point furthest from the centre of the Earth. That honour belongs to Chimborazo Volcano, which is two kilometres further from the centre than Everest.
The Mariana Trench, meanwhile, is the lowest point, at 11,028 metres, but it is not the closest point to Earth. That record is held by the Litke Trench, which is 15 kilometres closer.
You can find more information about the initiative here. #30DayMapChallenge in what I wrote in the newsletter.


