Bang! 50 million years ago India collided with Eurasia. The land buckled and crunched upward - the birth of the mighty Himalaya. 100 million years ago, a vast sea seperated Eurasia and India. Then, India started drifting north ward at a rate of 4 inches a year. In geological time that is break neck speed.
Like other pikes in the region, Mt. Everest has long been revered by the local people. It's most common Tibetan name, Chomolungma, means "Goddess mother of the world". It's identity as the highest point on Earth was, however, not recognized until 1852. …
