Scientists have found that erosion by the Arun River in the Himalayas could cause Mount Everest to rise by 15 to 50 meters.
According to researchers from University College London (UCL), the erosion happening about 75 kilometers away from the river is making Everest rise about 2 millimeters annually.
One researcher compared this to lightening a ship, making it float higher. As the Arun River removes soil and rocks, it reduces pressure on the Earth’s crust, causing it to rise, a process known as isostatic rebound.
This study, published in Nature Geoscience, notes that Everest and its neighboring peaks, Lhotse and Makalu, are growing due to both tectonic forces and the erosion of the river.
Some geologists support the theory but say more research is needed to measure the exact impact of the erosion. Everest, located between Nepal and China, continues to grow as a result of this natural process.
