Tag Page RockyMountains

Rocky Mountains’ wild origin story just got stranger

Turns out, the Rockies aren’t just a fluke on the map—they’re proof that continents can be totally reshaped from deep below, far from any obvious plate collision. New research reveals the Rockies rose not from one big tectonic smash, but from a two-stage underground drama: first, a shallow oceanic plate slid under North America, then broke apart, letting hot mantle push the land up. This means even areas that seem geologically “quiet” could be hiding massive forces below. Does this change how you see the Rockies—or what might be happening under your feet? #Science #RockyMountains #Geology