Few People Know the Unusual Story Behind Heart Mountain in Wyoming Mountain—It’s Fascinating

Wyoming is a bit of a bizarre state, and only those who live here really know what that means. After all, our history was, and still is, a little bit extraordinary. How many other places in the country can brag that the bullet holes above your barstool are from Buffalo Bill or Frank Canton? Even beyond our Wild West history, the geologic history of Wyoming - especially Heart Mountain near Cody, Wyoming - is unlike any place on Earth. I'm sure you've heard someone say they would "move mountains" for someone, but only in Wyoming has that phrase really come to life. The Heart Mountain landslide is a prime example.

Way out near Cody, about 100 miles from Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming, there's a strange mountain that seems quite out of place. Rather than being a part of the Absaroka Range, Heart Mountain lies 62 miles to the east, in the Big Horn Basin. Scientists have been able to confirm that Heart Mountain in Wyoming was once part of the range when it formed 50 million years ago - so what happened?

Perhaps the other mountains just took Heart for granite, and the rock decided it would be better off alone? Puns aside (no matter how much they rock), the story of Heart Mountain, Wyoming is almost unbelievable. Turns out, it moved those 62 miles away thanks to a volcanic landslide that took place over just about half an hour. Yes, that means the entire mountain was moving across the basin at 100 miles per hour.

Wait - a mountain moved 62 miles in half an hour? How is the Heart Mountain landslide possible? For years, scientists have wondered what really happened with Heart Mountain. The rocks found at the summit are about 500 million years old, but the rocks below date back to about 50 million years. How, then, did the older rocks come to rest above the relatively brand-new basin? To answer that question, geophysicist Einat Aharonov at the Weizmann Institute of Science and Mark Anders, a geologist from Columbia University, set to work creating a computer model to interpret the data that was available.

In simple terms, Heart Mountain was teeming with unusual dikes that filled with water, leaving no room for the lava and regular volcanic eruptions that were forming the Absaroka Range. When the water pressure and lava pressure built up, the result was a catastrophic explosion and landslide that sent a mountain literally flying across the land. Even in satellite images presented by NASA, you can see that Heart Mountain is east of and separated from the nearby ranges, the aftereffect of this natural phenomenon in Wyoming.

Can you imagine it sliding all that way in just half an hour? Those who visit today will find that there is one very dark twist to the Heart Mountain story. During World War II, the base of the mountain was used as an internment camp for Japanese Americans. The camp was a place where the American government kept those of Japanese heritage in terrible conditions, due to unfounded fears and mass public hysteria.

Today, the site has been preserved as an interpretive center and a museum to demonstrate just how dangerous it can be to let propaganda, prejudice, and fear take over the public view. You can visit the Heart Mountain website to learn more about this dark period in American history. Visiting one of these camps is an experience that every American should have because it is truly powerful to see.

By now, you should know why Heart Mountain near Cody, Wyoming, is called ”Heart” Mountain. And the Heart Mountain landslide may be a strange occurrence, but it's not the weirdest thing to happen here! Read up on some fun facts in Wyoming for a glimpse into the odd history of the Equality State.

Here at Only In Your State, Yellowstone National Park is one of our favorite national parks in the country. It's unique landscape, colorful hot springs, active geysers, and abundance of wildlife is why we think this park is worth visiting. Plus, you get to see more of the natural wonders in Wyoming at this bucket-list-worthy national park. You’ll undoubtedly be inspired after you visit Yellowstone.