Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Could Everest lose its title as Earth's tallest peak? Geologists are questioning whether another mountain may someday rival the iconic giant, sparking intrigue over what factors could make this possible.
Mountains like Everest form when tectonic plates collide and crusts smash together, creating towering ranges. The intensity of these collisions sets the stage for heights that make Everest legendary.
Cold, thick crust is a key ingredient for towering mountains. Much like cold maple syrup, colder crust resists deformation, supporting peaks like Everest that soar skyward.
Rapid erosion aids mountain growth by lightening the load, letting peaks rise further. In Everest's case, nearby river erosion plays a hidden role in its growth spurts over millennia.
Nanga Parbat, Everest’s Himalayan neighbor, grows faster but also erodes quickly, thanks to intense monsoon rains. This balance of growth and erosion makes it unlikely to dethrone Everest.
The tug-of-war between uplift and erosion determines whether mountains grow or shrink. Everest’s balanced rates keep it towering while other peaks struggle with higher erosion rates.
Geologists predict future weather shifts could alter mountain growth rates, reshuffling the Himalayas' heights. Could climate change one day push another peak past Everest?
The Himalayas’ location and formation conditions are rare; the crust is squeezed up with nowhere to go, enabling extreme heights like Everest. Few ranges have this “sweet spot” advantage.
Gravity itself limits how high mountains can grow. While small height shifts are possible, scientists doubt anything on Earth could surpass Everest significantly—nature’s ultimate height cap.