New Delhi: It might sound like a geological mystery, but Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, is indeed growing taller and not just due to tectonic forces. A recent study by researchers from University College London has revealed a surprising new factor influencing Everest’s height: the flow of the Arun River, located approximately 75 kilometers from the iconic peak. This discovery sheds fresh light on the dynamics shaping the Himalayas.
A 5-Meter Growth in Just 89,000 Years
Mount Everest’s current height is about 8,849 meters, according to measurements jointly conducted by China and Nepal in 2020. This is notably higher than its previously recorded height of 8,844 meters from a Chinese survey in 2005. Research now suggests that the peak’s altitude has been steadily rising over the millennia. Over the past 89,000 years, Mount Everest’s height has increased between 15 to 50 meters, equating to about 2 millimeters of growth annually.
How the Arun River Influences Everest’s Height
Scientists have traditionally attributed Himalayan elevation changes to the collision and ongoing friction between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. But new findings from University College London indicate that the Arun River is playing an unexpected role. According to the study, as the river flows along the Himalayan foothills, it continuously erodes the landscape, carrying significant debris downstream. This process, known as “isostatic rebound,” essentially reduces the load on the Earth’s crust, allowing the area around Everest to rise gradually, much like a ship becoming lighter and floating higher when cargo is offloaded.
Researcher Adam Smith explains, “Imagine a boat getting lighter when you throw items off; it rises in the water. Similarly, the Earth’s crust responds to the weight reduction as the river clears debris, and the ground subtly lifts.” This lifting effect is detectable with GPS technology, adding a new layer to our understanding of Everest’s growth.
Experts Question New Findings
While the findings are intriguing, some experts remain skeptical. Hugh Sinclair, Professor of Geoscience at the University of Edinburgh, acknowledges that while the concept of isostatic rebound is plausible, its effect in such a vast, rugged area like the Himalayas might be complex to gauge. Sinclair emphasizes that the impact of river erosion on Everest’s height may need further exploration, considering the mountain’s unique geological environment.
Revisiting Everest’s Height: A Collaborative Effort by China and Nepal
In 2017, Nepal began measuring Everest’s height amid concerns that the 2015 earthquake may have altered the peak’s structure. China later joined the initiative, and by 2020, both nations had concluded the survey, resulting in the updated height of 8,849 meters. This measurement underscores an intriguing aspect of Mount Everest: it is not static, but a dynamic entity, continually shaped by geological and environmental forces.
As the study opens new avenues for research, Everest’s ongoing growth continues to captivate scientists and the world, symbolizing the raw, ever-evolving beauty of our planet’s geological landscape.
