Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is constantly growing, but not just due to tectonic shifts. A new study by an international team of researchers, led by University College London, suggests that river erosion has significantly contributed to its height over the past 89,000 years.
“Mount Everest is a remarkable mountain of myth and legend, and it’s still growing. Our research shows that as the nearby river system cuts deeper, the loss of material is causing the mountain to spring further upwards,” said Adam Smith, co-author and PhD student at UCL Earth Sciences.
The River Capture Event: A Key Discovery
Researchers discovered that a “river capture” event occurred approximately 89,000 years ago. This event involved the Arun River, a tributary of the Kosi River, being diverted into the Kosi Riverbed, which led to a surge in erosion as the river carved out a deep gorge.
How Erosion Affects Everest’s Height
The removal of this massive amount of landmass acted as a counterbalance to the weight of the Himalayas. As a result, the region experienced a slight uplift, causing Mount Everest to grow by an estimated 50 to 164 feet (15 to 50 meters).
This finding challenges previous understandings of Mount Everest’s growth and highlights the complex interplay between geological forces and natural processes. It also underscores the dynamic nature of our planet’s landscape and the ongoing evolution of its most iconic features.
Unique Topography Linked to Everest’s Height
“An interesting river system exists in the Everest region. The upstream Arun River flows east at high altitude with a flat valley, then abruptly turns south as the Kosi River, dropping in elevation and becoming steeper. This unique topography, indicative of an unsteady state, is likely related to Everest’s extreme height,” explained Jin-Gen Dai, co-author of the study.
