Why is Mount Everest so tall? - Michele Koppes

TED-Ed

7 Apr 201604:52

Summary

TLDRThe script explores the allure of Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth, and its geological formation due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates 50 million years ago. It explains the balance between uplift and erosion that shapes mountains and how factors like climate and glaciers contribute to their appearance. Despite the constant forces of nature that could one day reduce its size, Everest remains a legendary challenge for climbers and a symbol of adventure.

Takeaways

🧗‍♂️ Climbers are drawn to Mount Everest because it is the highest peak on Earth, standing at 8,850 meters above sea level.
🏔 Despite Mauna Kea being taller from base to summit, Everest is recognized for its highest altitude.
🌍 Everest's formation is a result of the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, causing the crust to buckle and uplift.
🏞️ The Earth's crust is dynamic, with plates moving about 2 to 4 centimeters per year, similar to the growth rate of fingernails.
⛈️ The process of mountain formation involves a balance between the forces of uplift and erosion.
🌬️ Air masses are forced to rise as the land is pushed up, leading to weathering and erosion that shapes the landscape.
🗻 The initial rapid uplift of mountains creates steep slopes, but over time, erosion slows this process.
⏳ Time plays a crucial role in mountain shaping, with erosion eventually outpacing uplift as mountains age.
❄️ Climate affects mountain shapes, with snowlines forming at different heights based on temperature and contributing to glacier formation.
🏔️ Everest's height is maintained by a combination of its large size due to the continental clash, a high snowline due to its tropical location, and relatively small glaciers that do not erode it significantly.
⏳ The script suggests that future changes in continental plates, climate, and erosion could reduce Mount Everest's size.

Q & A

Why do people risk climbing Mount Everest?
-People are drawn to climb Mount Everest for various reasons such as the challenge, the view, and the prestige of reaching the highest point on Earth.
Is Mount Everest the tallest mountain from base to summit?
-No, Mount Everest is not the tallest from base to summit. Mauna Kea in Hawaii holds that title, but Everest has the highest altitude above sea level at 8850 meters.
How is Mount Everest formed?
-Mount Everest was formed due to the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, causing the crust to buckle and uplift.
How fast do continental plates move?
-Continental plates move at a relatively quick pace of two to four centimeters per year, similar to the growth rate of human fingernails.
What is the role of weathering in shaping mountains?
-Weathering plays a crucial role in shaping mountains by dissolving rocks or breaking them down, which is then carried away by water moving downhill, eroding the landscape.
How does the climate affect the height of the snowline on mountains?
-The climate determines the height of the snowline on mountains. At the poles, it's at sea level, while near the equator, it's at higher altitudes, such as five kilometers.
What is the impact of glaciers on mountain landscapes?
-Glaciers can erode landscapes more swiftly than rain and rivers. They flow under their own weight, grinding the rocks below and carving out the underlying rock.
Why is Mount Everest particularly tall despite the erosive forces?
-Mount Everest remains tall due to its formation from a cataclysmic continental clash, its location near the tropics where the snowline is high, and relatively small glaciers that do not erode it significantly.
How does the balance between uplift and erosion affect mountain shapes?
-The balance between uplift and erosion determines the shape of a mountain. Uplift pushes the land up, while erosion wears it down, creating a dynamic equilibrium that shapes the mountain's form.
What factors contribute to the differences in mountain shapes around the world?
-Mountain shapes are influenced by the rate of uplift, the effects of erosion over time, and the climate which affects the snowline and the presence of glaciers.
What could potentially reduce the height of Mount Everest in the future?
-Changes in continental plate movements, climate, and the planet's erosive forces could potentially conspire to reduce the height of Mount Everest over time.