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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

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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