The rise in height Mount Everest

The natural factors that contribute to the rise in height of Mount Everest are primarily geological and environmental, with tectonic activity playing the most significant role. Here's a breakdown of the key factors:

1. Tectonic Plate Movement
Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate Collision: Mount Everest is located on the boundary where the Indian plate is slowly moving northward, colliding with the Eurasian plate. This collision, which began about 50 million years ago, is responsible for the uplift of the Himalayas, including Everest. As these plates continue to press against each other, the Himalayas, including Everest, gradually rise. The uplift is estimated to be about 3-5 millimeters per year on average.

Concept of Plate Tectonics:

The theory of Plate Tectonics proposes that the earth’s lithosphere is divided into seven major and some minor plates. The margins of the plates are sites of geological activities such as subduction, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, crustal deformation, folding, faulting etc.

Three types of motions occur between the tectonic plates, which are as follows:

1. Convergent Plate Boundaries:
The convergence between two tectonic plates causes the subduction of
the denser plate under the lighter plate. Such plate boundaries lead to
the destruction of the crust and are, therefore, known as convergent or
destructive plate margins.

2. Divergent Plate Boundaries: Such spreading margins exist where two tectonic plates pull away from each other and, as a result, form a new crust. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where American plate(s) diverge from the Eurasian and African plates, is a classic example of diverging plates.

3. Transform(conservative) boundaries: When the plates
move and slide past each other in a horizontal manner, the crust is
neither produced nor destroyed. Thus, such plate movements with respect
to each other result in strike-slip faults and earthquakes with the
sudden release of energy.

2. Seismic Activity
Earthquakes: Earthquakes along this plate boundary can also impact the height of Everest. Large earthquakes, like the 2015 Nepal earthquake, can result in both uplift and subsidence (lowering) of different parts of the mountain. While some areas may experience temporary reductions in height due to seismic shaking and landslides, other regions might be uplifted.
   
3. Isostatic Rebound
Weight Redistribution: Isostatic rebound refers to the Earth's crust rising after being compressed by weight, such as from ice, water, or sediment. Over long periods, the removal of such weight, including glacial melt or erosion of surrounding land, can lead to the uplift of underlying rocks. This phenomenon can contribute, albeit very slowly, to the rise of Everest.

• Isostatic Rebound is the reduction of
  landmass in the Arun River basin leads to isostatic rebound, where the
  Earth’s crust rises due to diminished surface weight, akin to a floating
  object adjusting when weight is removed. The isostatic rebound affects other Himalayan peaks like Lhotse and Makalu, contributing to their elevation increase.
• 
  
  

  In the case of Everest and
  its neighbouring mountains, the surface weight started to reduce after the Arun
  River merged with the Kosi River around 89,000 years ago.This resulted in
  accelerated erosion that carried off huge amounts of rock and soil, reducing
  the weight of the region near Everest.

  

  
  
  
• 
  
• 4. Glaciation and Erosion

Snow and Ice Accumulation: While not directly affecting the rock's height, the accumulation of snow and ice on the summit can give Everest a slightly higher appearance. However, this is not permanent and varies with weather and climate conditions.
Erosion: Glaciers, wind, and water erode Everest and the surrounding Himalayas. Erosion doesn't cause the mountain to rise but can affect the apparent height by removing material at the surface. This is balanced by tectonic uplift, which pushes the mountain upward faster than erosion wears it down.

5. Post-Seismic Uplift
After Earthquakes: Following an earthquake, the earth can undergo a slow process of rebound where the crust adjusts to the new stress distribution. In some cases, this can lead to a gradual rise in height after the initial drop caused by the quake.

Demerits of the rapid rise

The rise in the height of the Himalayas, which occurs due to tectonic activity as the Indian plate pushes against the Eurasian plate, has several potential demerits:

Landslides and Erosion: A higher and more rugged terrain increases the likelihood of landslides, especially during monsoon seasons. As the mountains grow, steeper slopes become more prone to landslides, which can block rivers, disrupt roadways, and destroy villages.

Impact on Water Resources: The Himalayas are a crucial source of water for the rivers in South Asia. Changes in glacial and snow melt patterns, coupled with tectonic activity, could affect the flow of rivers, impacting agriculture, hydroelectric projects, and water supply for millions of people.

Ecological Disruption: The rise of the Himalayas alters ecosystems, leading to shifts in flora and fauna. Increased elevation changes climate conditions, which can threaten species adapted to specific altitude ranges and lead to biodiversity loss.

Challenges to Human Habitation: As the Himalayas rise, areas that are habitable may become less so. The higher elevation can lead to colder temperatures, increased isolation, and difficulty in accessing resources, which can affect livelihoods and tourism in the region.

Alteration of Weather Patterns: The height of the Himalayas significantly influences the climate of the surrounding regions. A further increase in elevation could alter wind patterns, monsoon behaviors, and the overall climate, potentially leading to unpredictable and extreme weather conditions.