十万个为什么·科学启蒙30篇（1）
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Why Do Mountains Get Taller Over Time?
为什么山脉会随着时间越来越高？
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Mountains grow taller when tectonic plates push against each other underground.
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This slow collision crumples Earth's crust and lifts land upward like folded paper.
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Some mountains, like the Himalayas, rise about one centimeter every year on average.
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Erosion from wind and rain tries to wear them down at the same time.
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But in active zones, uplift often outpaces erosion over long periods.
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Scientists measure mountain growth using GPS satellites and precise laser surveys.
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Volcanic activity can also add height quickly when magma rises and hardens.
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Rock layers deep underground bend and break to accommodate the rising force.
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Even though growth is tiny yearly, it adds up over millions of years.
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That’s why today’s tallest peaks were once flat seabeds long ago.