Existing comment:
How did Pikes Peak form?
Over a billion years ago, Pikes Peak Granite was molten, or liquid, rock. It slowly cooled and hardened miles below the earth's surface, giving mineral crystals time to grow.
The mass of solid rock was pushed up several times by mountain-building forces. About 65 million years ago, the collision of huge plates of earth elevated the region creating the Rocky Mountains. From 35-7 million years ago, colliding plates caused pules of uplift, raising the region yet again. Throughout this time, erosion wore away overlying layers and exposed the ancient granite.
From two million to 10,000 years ago, long periods of wintery Ice Age weather gripped the land. Alpine glaciers formed on Pikes Peak. These rivers of ice sculpted U-shaped valleys and bowl-like hollows. Today, erosion continues to shape the rugged mountain. What do you think Pikes Peak will look like millions of years from now? |