Mount Everest is the world's tallest mountain, towering over other peaks in the Himalayas at 29,032 feet above sea level. It was born around 45 million years ago when the tectonic plates beneath the Indian subcontinent and Eurasia collided.

According to a new study, a river roughly 46 miles (75 kilometers) from Everest was "captured" by another around 89,000 years ago. The erosion from this event carved away a huge gorge, leading to a loss of landmass that made the mountain experience a major growth spurt.

Essentially, the immense pressure and force generated by the collision causes the crust to thicken, resulting in the uplift of peaks like Mount Everest. Additionally, the ongoing movement of the Indian Plate into Eurasia continues to push the mountains higher each year.