Geologic Story of Jackson Hole & Northwest Wyoming 

Presented by
John Hebberger Jr.
Geologists of Jackson Hole
Northwestern Wyoming, and Jackson Hole in particular, is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is visited by millions each year. What most do not recognize is that ALL of what one sees and wonders at is a result of major geologic events that occurred through 2.7 billion years of earth history. Clear evidence is seen for more major geologic events, the ones that formed this place, than in any other comparably sized area on earth.
Geologists of Jackson Hole in any other comparably sized area on earth.
Our area is a result of and evidence can be seen for: 1) The earliest known “Himalayan Style” continental collision event; 2) The break-up of the super continent that existed BEFORE the Pangea super continent; 3) 500 million years of Wyoming’s existence at & near sea level; 4) The continental-scale compressional event that formed nearly ALL of Wyoming’s towering mountains & deep basins; 5) A major volcanic event that today we see evidence of with the Absaroka Mountains; 6) The advent of the Yellowstone volcano which migrated from the ID-NV-OR states’ borders to its present location just north of Jackson Hole; 7) Onset of the continental scale extensional event which formed the American West’s “Basin & Range” province, and which is forming the Teton Range and Jackson Hole today; 8) Continental-scale uplift & resultant major erosion of the landscape; 9) Major glacial episodes, from alpine style valley glaciers to a quasi-continental style of ice sheet that entirely filled Jackson Hole.