Did you know that Mount Everest grows an average of 4 mm per year?

This growth is the result of tectonic forces active in the region. Mount Everest is located in the Himalayas, a mountain range on the border of China, Nepal, India, and Bhutan. The Himalayas stretch for about 2,400 km in length and range from 200 km to 400 km in width. The Himalayas were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. The Indian plate slowly slides under the Eurasian plate, creating pressure that gradually pushes the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, upward. This process, which has been ongoing for tens of millions of years, ensures that the mountains in this region continue to increase in height.

In addition to the annual growth due to tectonic activity, earthquakes in the region can sometimes lead to faster or slower growth, depending on the direction and strength of the tremors.

The photo accompanying this article is by Maureen Barlin via flickr.com