Mount Everest grows taller due to nearby river erosion, study finds

Mount Everest is now 15 to 50 meters taller due to uplift from a nearby eroding river gorge, according to a new study from University College London. This uplift is ongoing, with the mountain rising about 2 millimeters each year. The Arun River, located 75 kilometers from Everest, has carved a significant gorge, leading to the mountain's increased height. This process, known as isostatic rebound, occurs as the Earth's crust flexes upward after losing mass from erosion. The study also indicates that neighboring peaks like Lhotse and Makalu are experiencing similar uplift. Researchers determined that the Arun River's merger with the Kosi River network 89,000 years ago intensified erosion, further contributing to the mountains' growth.