36. Who Knew Mountains Can Grow

The Appalachian Mountains, once towering giants rivaling the Rockies in height, have experienced a significant decline over time, gradually shrinking in stature. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the globe, the Himalayan Mountains, once comparable in size to the Rockies, are undergoing a remarkable growth spurt.

These divergent trends in mountain formation and erosion reflect the dynamic forces shaping our planet’s landscape. While geological processes like tectonic activity and erosion contribute to both growth and decline, the specific factors driving these changes vary from region to region.