Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, continues to rise in height each year, and scientists believe they have finally unraveled the mystery behind this phenomenon. The mountain, standing at 8,848.86m, has been observed to grow by about 2mm annually, outpacing other significant Himalayan peaks. While the shifting of tectonic plates was previously thought to be the cause of Everest’s elevation, researchers from University College London (UCL) have now identified another force at play.
According to the recent study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, erosion from a river network located approximately 75km away from Mount Everest is shaping its growth. The river’s activity has led to a process called uplift, where a section of the Earth’s crust rises due to reduced mass and increased pressure from beneath. This gradual uplift, occurring over thousands of years, has contributed to Everest’s impressive height.
Although the growth rate is slow, with estimates of 15 to 50 metres over the past 89,000 years, advancements in technology now allow scientists to monitor the mountain’s growth accurately. The merging of the Arun River with the Kosi River system has intensified erosive forces, triggering a more rapid uplift of Everest. As the river carves deeper into the landscape, the mountain responds by pushing its peaks higher.
The unique topography created by the upstream Arun River’s flow direction has a direct correlation with Everest’s extreme height, as explained by Dr. Jin-Gen Dai, one of the study’s authors. This geological process is not exclusive to Everest, with neighbouring peaks such as Lhotse and Makalu also experiencing the effects of heightened erosion.
The findings shed new light on the dynamic forces shaping Earth’s highest mountain and offer a deeper understanding of Everest’s ongoing growth. As scientists continue to unravel the complexities of geological processes, Mount Everest stands as a remarkable example of nature’s enduring transformation.