SAEDNEWS: Mount Everest Is Surprisingly Still Growing—Here’s What’s Driving Its Relentless Rise
According to Saed News Public Service, a surprising new study shows that the world’s tallest peak is getting taller each year, driven by an ancient geological phenomenon dating back 90,000 years.
As reported by the New York Post, Everest doesn’t appear to have reached its ultimate height. Researchers at China University of Geosciences say that the 50-million-year-old Himalayan mountain, currently standing at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet), has grown between 14 and 49 meters over the past 89,000 years.
“Our research shows that even the tallest peak on Earth is subject to geological processes that can significantly affect its height over relatively short timescales,” Professor Jinggen Dai told The Guardian.
But what geological process is responsible for boosting the height of the world’s tallest mountain? The explanation is as remarkable as the fact that Everest is still growing. Thousands of years ago, the Arun River in northern Nepal changed course due to erosion. After rerouting, the river connected to a downstream system, joining a neighboring river network.
“After the river shifted, a large volume of additional water flowed through the Arun,” says Dr. Matthew Fox, one of the study’s co-authors. “This water transported more sediments, eroded the bedrock, and carried it down the valley.” Over time, this process reduced the weight on parts of the Earth’s crust, allowing surrounding areas to rise. Scientists call this process isostatic rebound. Today, Everest continues to rise by 0.16 to 0.53 millimeters each year.
Dai notes, “This effect won’t continue indefinitely—it will persist only until the river system reaches a new equilibrium.” The study has impressed geologists worldwide. Professor Michael Attal of the University of Edinburgh told The Guardian, “What makes this research unique is demonstrating that erosion caused by river rerouting can trigger such a dramatic response in land elevation.”
He also warned that, due to climate-driven changes in Earth’s water systems, we may soon witness rising elevations across vast regions of the planet.
