Kosi River erosion contributes to annual uplift of Mount Everest

Mount Everest is rising by 2 mm each year due to erosion, according to a study published on September 30, 2024. This uplift is linked to the Kosi River system, which captured the Arun River about 89,000 years ago, deepening the landscape. The study indicates that the combined river systems have been removing billions of tons of sediment, allowing the Himalayas to become lighter and float higher in the Earth's mantle. This process, known as isostatic rebound, has contributed to the mountain's elevation gain. Scientists have long studied the geological factors behind Everest's height. The new findings suggest that erosion from the Kosi and Arun rivers has accelerated the uplift, allowing the mountain to rise despite ongoing weathering and erosion.