Devil tower wyoming

Devils Tower in Wyoming is a national monument formed by cooled magma, sacred to Native tribes and a climbing destination.

About this subject

Devils Tower is a striking rock formation located in northeastern Wyoming, United States. Standing 386 meters above the bed of the Belle Fourche River and with a summit elevation of 1,558 meters, it is one of the most iconic geological landmarks in the country. It is a laccolith or volcanic plug, formed about 50 million years ago when molten magma intruded into sedimentary rock layers and solidified. Over time, erosion stripped away the softer surrounding rocks, exposing the columnar basalt structure with its characteristic vertical hexagonal columns.

These columns, which give the tower a grooved appearance, resulted from the slow, uniform cooling of magma, which contracted and formed polygonal fractures. European settlers named it Devils Tower due to a mistranslation of a Native American name. For indigenous peoples such as the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Crow, the site is sacred and known as Bear Lodge or Mato Tipila. Legend tells that a giant bear clawed the sides of the rock while trying to reach a group of girls who took refuge on top, creating the vertical grooves.

Devils Tower was the first United States National Monument, proclaimed by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. Rock climbing is a popular activity, but it is regulated, with a voluntary climbing closure in June to respect Native ceremonies. The first recorded ascent was in 1893 by two local ranchers, who used a wooden ladder driven into the rock. Today, numerous technical climbing routes exist, attracting mountaineers from around the world. The tower also gained worldwide fame as the landing site for aliens in Steven Spielberg's film Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Devils Tower?

Devils Tower rises 386 meters above its base at the Belle Fourche River, with a summit elevation of 1,558 meters above sea level.

Why does Devils Tower have vertical grooves?

The grooves are hexagonal basalt columns formed by slow cooling of magma, which contracted and fractured. In Native American legend, they are claw marks from a giant bear.

Is climbing allowed on Devils Tower?

Yes, climbing is permitted, but there is a voluntary closure in June to respect Native American ceremonies. Climbers must register and follow regulations.