Researchers have discovered why Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth, is continuing to grow in height.
A Constant Upward Push
The iconic mountain, which currently stands at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet), is located in the Himalayas, a mountain range formed roughly 50 million years ago due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, according to Digi24.
This tectonic activity is still ongoing, leading to the constant upward push of Everest. However, new research has identified an additional factor contributing to the mountain's continued growth.
The study, led by Professor Jingen Dai from Beijing’s University of Geosciences, reveals that erosion from nearby rivers, particularly the Arun River, has caused Everest to rise further.
Minimal Growth
The team estimates that the mountain has gained between 15 to 50 meters (49 to 164 feet) over the last 89,000 years due to this erosion process.
The removal of material from the base of the mountain decreases the weight on the Earth's crust, causing a process called "isostatic rebound," which pushes the land, including Everest, upward.
Dai and his colleagues suggest that this process will continue until the river systems around Everest reach a state of equilibrium. Nearby peaks like Lhotse and Makalu, which are the fourth and fifth highest in the world, are also experiencing a similar increase in elevation.
The study used computer models to simulate the long-term geological and river erosion processes, which led to their findings.
While Everest’s growth is minimal on an annual basis — between 0.16 mm and 0.53 mm (0.006 to 0.02 inches) — the discovery highlights how natural forces continue to shape even the tallest mountain in the world.
