How do mountains get so big?

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep one. The outside of the Earth is a shell made of huge plates, and they move very slowly.

2. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the Earth's crust is basically a giant jigsaw puzzle, except the pieces are always bumping into each other.

3. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep two. When two plates push into each other, the land crumples upward.

4. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOh, I know this one. The vacuum repair place wants the nail salon's half of the parking lot.

5. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentStep three. Push a rug against a wall and watch it fold. That is a mountain.

6. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the nail salon folds up and the mattress outlet next door gets a second floor.

7. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNo shops. Plates. The Himalayas formed when India crashed into Asia, per Wikipedia, and it took millions of years.

8. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorMillions of years. That's a long time to wait for a mattress outlet.

9. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWait. Is Mount Everest still growing?

10. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentYes. That is exactly the right question.

11. 

    Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt rises a few millimetres a year, about a coin or two thick, because India is still pushing into Asia.

12. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo Everest is the vacuum repair place, and it just keeps pushing. Honestly, respect.