Posted on 04/10/2016 8:19:28 AM PDT by JimSEA
February 1, 2016 — University of Wyoming scientists have found evidence of continental collisions in Wyoming’s Teton Range, similar to those in the Himalayas, dating to as early as 2.68 billion years ago. The research, published Jan. 22 in the journal Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, shows that plate tectonics were operating in what is now western Wyoming long before the collisions that created the Himalayas starting 40 million years ago.
In fact, the remnants of tectonic activity in old rocks exposed in the Tetons point to the world’s earliest known continent-continent collision, says Professor Carol Frost of UW’s Department of Geology and Geophysics, lead author of the paper.
“While the Himalayas are the prime example of continent-continent collisions that take place due to plate tectonic motion today, our work suggests plate tectonics operated far, far back into the geologic past,” Frost says.
The paper’s co-authors include fellow UW Department of Geology and Geophysics faculty members Susan Swapp and Ron Frost. The researchers reached their conclusions by analyzing ancient, exposed granite in the northern Teton Range and comparing it to similar rock in the Himalayas. The rocks were formed from magma produced by what is known as decompression melting, a process that commonly occurs when two continental tectonic plates collide. The dramatically thickened crust extends under gravitational forces, and melting results when deeper crust rises closer to the surface.
The UW scientists found that the mechanisms that formed the granites of the Tetons and the Himalayas are comparable, but that there are significant differences between the rocks of the two regions. That is due to differences in the composition of the continental crust in Wyoming 2.68 billion years ago compared to crustal plates observed today. Specifically, the ancient crust that melted in the Tetons contained less potassium than the more recently melted crust found in the Himalayas.
Sorry. I’ll I can think about reading this article is Dolly Parton.
Makes one wonder what the archeaologists will find when they find her in a thousand years.
I was thinking of the two tickets I need for Pittsburgh
Magnificent totally Beautiful and inspirational location. We have so many natural wonders in the country, take time and visit
Is that a Bob Ross?
Her bones are normal
That would be the Grand Tetons.
bttt
My father was born and raised in Big Horn County, WY.
I have seen the Tetons from both sides, Wyoming and Idaho.
http://www.jacksonholenet.com/teton_valley_idaho/
It’s a photo from Google. I picked a shot that sparked my memory of what I’ve seen. It is a spectacular photo!!
Shhhhh!
Dont tell them....or they all show up and Afton turns into just another overpriced vacation town!
Well..I thought I saw some Happy Clouds.
“Shhhhh!
Dont tell them....or they all show up and Afton turns into just another overpriced vacation town!”
I know that Diggs, Idaho was one of the early mountain man rendezvous locations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driggs,_Idaho
I read a bunch of books, by a guy named Terry C. Johnston, and he covered these early pioneers and exployers in great detail.
He was truly one of the expert historians of the area and the people, both natives and Europeans/Americans.
Me and my new bride stayed in Afton in the early 90’s on our honeymoon. Enjoyed the small town very much. Seems like the hotel was a Best Western.
Friend of mine who paints the Tetons beautifully. Lives in Dubois and has a gallery there. He writes about the beauty and wildlife everyday.
http://gkeimigart.blogspot.com/?m=1
On my bucket list with the Sequoias and Jerusalem. Not a very long list!
The one peak is sorta shaped like the Matterhorn. Nice.
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