How ‘river piracy’ may have made Mount Everest even taller.

Mount Everest's height may have been influenced by an ancient act of "river piracy," according to researchers at University College London. The distinctive pattern of rivers flowing around the mountain may have eroded the rock close to its flanks, causing the land surface to rise. The researchers focused on the Arun river, which flows north from Everest before circling back to the south and passing through the Arun gorge. They estimated that the river's erosion after a capture event about 89,000 years ago could have added 15 to 50 meters to Everest's height. However, some experts are skeptical and believe that tectonic activity is the primary factor in the mountain's elevation. [Extracted from the article]