In News:

In a controversial move, President Donald Trump (2025) signed an executive order to rename Denali (North America’s highest peak) back to Mount McKinley, and also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, citing the need to "honor American greatness."

About Denali / Mount McKinley:

Feature                              Description

Location                           Alaska Range, South-Central Alaska, USA

Height                              20,310 feet (6,190 meters) – Highest in North America

Geology                            Giant granite block uplifted by tectonic activity ~60 million years ago

Glaciers                            Feeds major glaciers: Kahiltna, Muldrow, Peters, Ruth, Traleika

Tectonics                          Lies along the Denali Fault, a major right-lateral strike-slip fault

National Park                  Forms the core of Denali National Park and Preserve

Historical Background of the Name:

• Original Name: Denali, meaning “The High One” in the Athabascan language of the Koyukon people.
• 1897: Renamed Mount McKinley by a gold prospector in honor of President William McKinley (1897–1901).
• 1917: Official federal recognition with the creation of Mount McKinley National Park.
• 1980: Park renamed Denali National Park and Preserve; mountain's name remained McKinley federally.
• 2015: Obama administration officially renamed the peak Denali through the U.S. Department of the Interior.
• 2025: Trump issued executive order to revert the name to Mount McKinley, stating McKinley “deserves” the honor.

Rationale Behind Trump’s Renaming Order:

• Claims it honors McKinley’s legacy: economic growth, leadership in Spanish-American War, and tariff reforms.
• Declares Obama’s 2015 decision an “affront” to American heritage.
• Connects the move to his broader theme of “Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness.”

Opposition & Cultural Sensitivity:

• Alaska’s bipartisan leadership, including Senators Lisa Murkowski (R) and Scott Kawasaki (D), oppose the move.
• Indigenous groups maintain that Denali is the rightful and culturally authentic name.
• Critics argue it undermines native heritage and local identity.

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America”:

• Also part of Trump’s 2025 executive order.
• Geographic Facts:
  • Borders the US, Mexico, and Cuba.
  • Crucial to the US energy sector:
    • 14% of US crude oil
    • 5% of US natural gas
    • 48% of refining capacity
• International Validity: The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) allows local name usage but retains “Gulf of Mexico” in global records.
• Not binding on Mexico or Cuba.

International & Historical Parallels in Naming Disputes:

• Persian Gulf vs. Arabian Gulf (Iran vs. Arab states)
• Sea of Japan vs. East Sea (Japan vs. South Korea)
• South China Sea: Multiple nations claim different names and areas.

About the Denali Fault:

• Major strike-slip fault running through Alaska.
• Responsible for extensive tectonic movement and uplift of Denali.
• Evidence of horizontal displacement (~483 km) over millions of years.
• Marked the final suturing of tectonic plates in North American geological history.