denali national park and preserve is located in the central area of the alaska range, a mountain chain extending across alaska. its best-known geologic feature is denali, formerly known as mount mckinley. its elevation of makes it the highest mountain in north america. its vertical relief (distance from base to peak) of is the highest of any mountain in the world. the mountain is still gaining about in height each year due to the continued convergence of the north american and pacific plates. the mountain is primarily made of granite, a hard rock that does not erode easily; this is why it has retained such a great height rather than being eroded.