How Old Is Everest

So, you're wondering, "How old is Everest, anyway?" Well, buckle up, because we're about to take a little trip through time, and let me tell you, this mountain's got some serious mileage on it.

Let's Start at the Beginning

Imagine, if you will, a time before time itself. We're talking about 4.6 billion years ago, when our little planet was just a smoldering ball of rock and gas. Now, I know what you're thinking, "That's way too long ago for me to wrap my head around." And you're right, it's practically ancient history. But stick with me, because this is where our story begins.

In this primordial soup of a world, something incredible happened. The Earth started to cool down, and as it did, it began to form a crust. And guess who was there to witness it all? Our friend, the yet-to-be-named Everest, of course. He was just a tiny little bump back then, mind you, but he was there.

Fast Forward a Few Million Years

Now, let's skip ahead a bit. We're now around 60 million years ago, and our little bump has grown into a proper mountain range. We're talking about the Himalayas here, the highest in the world. But even then, Everest wasn't the tallest. No, that honor went to a mountain called Gothongga. Can you believe it? Everest was just a kid on the block back then.

But here's where things get interesting. About 50 million years ago, the Indian tectonic plate started to collide with the Eurasian plate. It was like a slow-motion car crash, and Everest was right in the middle of it. This collision caused the Himalayas to rise, and Everest, well, he just kept on growing.

Vintage Maps of Mount Everest From National Geographic Archives | Mount

Finally, the Big Guy We Know Today

It took millions of years, but eventually, Everest became the tallest mountain in the world. And he's been holding that title for a while now. In fact, he's grown so much that he's still growing today, at a rate of about 4mm per year. That's right, folks, Everest is like the world's oldest, slowest-growing teenager.

Now, you might be wondering, "Why does Everest grow when it's already so tall?" Well, it's all thanks to that pesky tectonic plate collision I mentioned earlier. The Indian plate is still pushing under the Eurasian plate, and that pressure causes Everest to rise. It's like the world's most epic game of whack-a-mole, but with a mountain instead of a mole.

Vintage Maps Of Mount Everest From National Geographic

So, How Old Is Everest, Anyway?

Alright, alright, you've been patient, and I appreciate that. So, let's get down to business. Everest is estimated to be around 60 million years old. That's right, he's older than your grandparents, older than your great-grandparents, and even older than that ancient artifact you've got gathering dust in your attic.

But here's the thing, folks. While Everest might be old, he's also incredibly young in geological terms. The oldest rocks on Earth are around 4 billion years old, and some of the oldest mountains are even older than that. So, in the grand scheme of things, Everest is just a baby. A very, very tall baby.

And there you have it, folks. The story of Everest, from tiny bump to towering giant. So next time you look at that mountain and think, "Wow, that's old," remember, it's not just old. It's practically ancient. And it's still growing. Isn't that something?