The Devil's Tower National Monument is a natural wonder of the world, located just over an hour's drive from Spearfish, Wyoming. This iconic landmark is considered sacred to the Lakota and other Native American tribes in the area, and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts around the world. But what is the origin of this impressive natural monument?The Devil's Tower was formed by the forced entry of magma into or among other rock formations (intrusion). This process took place over millions of years, resulting in a columnar rock formation that dates back to the Paleogene period some 60 million years ago.
Geologists Carpenter and Russell studied Devils Tower in the late 19th century and concluded that it consisted of an igneous intrusion. O'Harra (from the South Dakota School of Mines) theorized that Devils Tower should be an eroded remnant of a laccolite. Today, Devils Tower is teeming with life, with more than 300 species of plants and animals, including many rare and endangered species. It stands almost 1,300 feet (395 m) above the Belle Fourche River, soaring above Wyoming's flat landscape. With its unique geology and impressive size, it is no wonder that Devils Tower was designated as a national monument protected by the National Park Service. Despite its popularity, Devils Tower faces many challenges in the coming years, including increasing pressures from human development and climate change.
To help protect this iconic landscape for future generations, we must take steps to conserve it and support policies that prioritize nature conservation. Investing in policies that prioritize conservation is the best way to protect the Devils Tower Reserve. I was surprised to learn that Devils Tower is allowed to be climbed, considering that it is a sacred site for many tribes and is a protected landmark. But this provides a great opportunity to consider the massive forces working during and after Noah's Flood. A visit to this natural monument provides an unforgettable experience that you don't want to miss.
