The highest mountain in the world Everest, with a height of 8,848 meters is at the top. Although the size of Everest is impressive, scientists say it indicates that the mountain is at the limit of the maximum height it can reach. So why isn’t there a bigger mountain?

There are several reasons for this, and these reasons are also growth potential of mountains main limiting factors.

How are mountains formed?

Mountains are formed as a result of movements and collisions of the Earth’s crust. plate tectonics In this process, the so-called crustal plates move towards each other and this causes mountains to rise.

However, this process also has a limit. As the mountains grow, the pressure they exert on the Earth’s crust also increases. As the height of a mountain increases, the stress on the rocks at its base and the earth’s crust also increases. This causes the structure beneath the mountain to begin to collapse when it reaches a certain height.

What is the limit?

Scientists say the maximum height of a mountain about 15 kilometers (15,000 meters) They suggest it could be. That’s almost twice the height of Everest! However, this theory is based on the maximum amount of stress the crust under the mountain can withstand.

As mountains grow, the Earth’s crust grows rocks and minerals undergo deformation and eventually begins to collapse. This process prevents the mountain from rising any further.

Collapse process and gravity effect

Just as mountains exert pressure on the earth’s crust, the earth’s crust must act as a stabilizing force on the mountains. When this balance is disturbed, The mountains begin to collapse. This process happens slowly but steadily.

A high mountain falls under the influence of its own weight causing the Earth’s crust to be pushed down and this causes collapses under the mountain. This can cause large cracks and slides on the top of the mountain.

Olympus Mons on Mars is a notable example.

Olympus Mons, with a height of 22.5 kilometers The highest mountain in the solar system. How can such a large mountain be found on Mars?

The answer to this is The Gravity of Mars It is lower than the earth. Lower gravity means less pressure under the mountain. This means that the mountains can be higher.

Although mountains are fascinating and impressive, they are also submission to the rules of nature It is a fact that it is necessary. Therefore, if you are wondering how big a mountain can be, the best answer is to look in nature itself.

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