Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, rises about 5.5 miles (8.85 km) above sea level and is still growing. This growth has been happening for around 50 million years, starting with the collision of the Indian subcontinent and the Eurasian plate. Recent studies show that Mount Everest’s height has increased by approximately 49-164 feet (15-50 meters) due to changes in nearby river systems, especially the merging of the Kosi and Arun rivers about 89,000 years ago. This change has led to a yearly uplift rate of about 0.01 to 0.02 inches (0.2 to 0.5 millimeters).

One important factor in this uplift is called isostatic rebound. When erosion removes weight from the Earth’s crust, the land rises, similar to how a boat floats higher when it loses cargo. Researchers believe that isostatic rebound contributes to about 10% of Mount Everest’s annual uplift. Other mountains nearby, like Lhotse and Makalu, also experience similar geological changes. GPS data shows that the Himalayas are still rising, which is greater than the erosion caused by natural forces like wind and rain. This ongoing research highlights how the planet is always changing. As geoscientist Jin-Gen Dai noted, the ongoing transformation of Mount Everest reveals Earth’s dynamic nature and its importance in understanding the natural world.