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Tuesday, Sep 15, 2026
Outside the box.
Mount Everest's Unexpected Growth Explained by Scientists
Scientists have found that Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, grows due to isostatic rebound caused by the merger of the Kosi and Arun rivers 89,000 years ago. This removal of mass leads to a yearly uplift of 0.01-0.02 inches. Neighbouring peaks like Lhotse and Makalu also experience similar uplift.
Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth at 5.5 miles (8.85 km) above sea level, continues to grow.
While the Himalayan uplift began around 50 million years ago due to the collision of the Indian subcontinent and Eurasia, scientists have discovered that Everest's growth has been accelerated by the merger of the Kosi and Arun rivers approximately 89,000 years ago.
This process, known as isostatic rebound, involves the rise of Earth's crust as weight from eroded rock and soil is removed.
This uplift adds roughly 0.01-0.02 inches (0.2-0.5 millimeters) to Everest each year.
The research, led by Jin-Gen Dai from China University of Geosciences and Adam Smith from University College London, also highlights similar uplift in neighboring peaks like Lhotse and Makalu.
The dynamic nature of Earth's geology, as seen in Mount Everest's continued growth, underscores the planet's constant, though often imperceptible, changes.
While the Himalayan uplift began around 50 million years ago due to the collision of the Indian subcontinent and Eurasia, scientists have discovered that Everest's growth has been accelerated by the merger of the Kosi and Arun rivers approximately 89,000 years ago.
This process, known as isostatic rebound, involves the rise of Earth's crust as weight from eroded rock and soil is removed.
This uplift adds roughly 0.01-0.02 inches (0.2-0.5 millimeters) to Everest each year.
The research, led by Jin-Gen Dai from China University of Geosciences and Adam Smith from University College London, also highlights similar uplift in neighboring peaks like Lhotse and Makalu.
The dynamic nature of Earth's geology, as seen in Mount Everest's continued growth, underscores the planet's constant, though often imperceptible, changes.