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Giant crack appears in the foothills of Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming

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A huge gap in the Earth opened up in the area about 16 km (10 miles) south of the Ten Sleep town in Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming at the end of September 2015.

A crack in the Earth, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming, Image credit: SNS Outfitter & Guides

The enormous crack is approximately 686 m (2 250 feet) in length and 46 m (151 feet) in width, according to the SNS Outfitters & Guides who were the first to report the occurrence.

The experts have explained there are no unusual forces at work here, only normal geology, which is very rich and impressive on the grounds of Wyoming.

Video credit: USA Today

According to the scientists and engineers, a hole of such dimensions could have been caused by weak spots in the ground's subsurface, typically created during wet periods of spring and summer. During that period abundant rainfalls cause a vast amount of moisture to be stored in the sub-surfaces of the terrain.

A gap in the Earth, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming. Image credit: Randy Becker

An engineer from SNS Outfitters & Guides has performed an inspection of the site to figure out what triggered the event.

"Apparently, a wet spring lubricated across a cap rock. Then, a small spring on either side caused the bottom to slide out. He estimated 15 to 20 million yards of movement," SNS company stated online.

Earth crack, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming, Image credit: Randy Becker

"A number of things trigger them, moisture in the subsurface which causes weakness in soil or geology, and any process that would weaken the bedrock or unstabilize it somehow," Wyoming Geological Survey manager of groundwater and geologic hazards and mapping, Seth Wittke, explained.

"It is not uncommon to have slides like that," USGS' public information specialist Chamois Andersen added.

Featured image: A crack in the Earth, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming. Image credit: SNS Outfitter & Guides

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12 Comments

  1. A few years ago I dreamed about a sinkhole appearing, when I didn’t hear about them yet. Now they keep popping up in so many places in the world. I live in Eastern Washington and also since dreamed about an enormous amount of water coming in, in 2 stages, kind of like an enormous tsunami. In my dream we tried to climb onto a high area, but I dreamed I was going to drown. I also believe in this pole change. I mark on my porch most every year at the 21st of June where the sun sets. And the sunset spot seems to be moving further south in small increments, which would mean that we are moving north. I recommend reading Psalm 46 if You are getting stressed out about these things. Your’s truly.

  2. I agree, get out! The big earthquake that will take down the US is coming. It is all in God’s time. If you read about the sixth seal to be opened, that will signify the great earthquake that will literally shake the mountains out of its place. Of course these people no matter who they are will not disclose the truth. Why? It will alarm people and then panic. So lie to the people and most will be dead from Yellowstone erupting. Use your own judgment and not these people.

  3. Gee looks really normal NOT! who are you trying to kid? Keep fracking for gas, soon the whole earth will start cracking. But you just dont care. Those cracks look as natural as dolly partons chest!

  4. I think Yellowstone is getting busy. When Magma rises maybe nearby earth collapses in liquefaction. If I lived in the town “ten sleeps” 10 miles away I would “WAKE UP” and get out before I would be buried alive. Your’s truly!

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