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1.08 Billion Years Ago Pikes Peak Granite forms from a massive batholith – an intrusion of molten rock that cooled underground.
70-40 Million Years Ago The modern Rocky Mountains form.
37 Million Years Ago A massive flow of ash and hot gasses tears through the valley. ![]() Volcanic ash and debris creates the conditions for fossil preservation. 1) Lake Florissant forms and preserves delicate fossils in shale. 2) The lake drains and forms a stream valley where mammals and tree stumps are preserved. 3) Lake Florissant forms again until a final volcanic pumice eruption fills the lake forever ![]() Glaciers shape the Rocky Mountains and mammoths live in the Florissant valley. |
Last updated: October 15, 2022