The Rocky Mountains, often referred to as the Rockies, are a vast mountain range and the largest mountain system in North America, stretching approximately 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles) from northern British Columbia in Canada to New Mexico in the southwestern United States [1] [2] [3]. This extensive range forms the cordilleran backbone of the western North American continent [2].
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The Rockies are characterized by their high elevations, significant local relief, shallow soils, considerable mineral wealth, and spectacular scenery shaped by past glaciation and volcanic activity [2]. The range varies in width from less than 100 kilometers in the Canadian Rockies to nearly 600 kilometers in the Middle Rockies of Wyoming and northeast Utah [4].
Geography and Subdivisions
The Rocky Mountains are generally divided into four broad groupings: the Canadian Rockies, the Northern Rockies (of Montana and northeastern Idaho), the Middle Rockies (of Wyoming, Utah, and southeastern Idaho), and the Southern Rockies (mainly in Colorado and New Mexico) [2] [5]. Some definitions also include the Colorado Plateau as a physiographic region within the broader Rocky Mountain system [2] [5].
- Canadian Rockies: These extend southeastward for about 1,600 km from northern British Columbia and form a significant part of the natural boundary between Alberta and British Columbia [5]. Mount Robson, at 3,954 meters (12,972 feet), is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies [1] [5]. The Canadian Rockies are further divided into the Muskwa Ranges, Hart Ranges (collectively the Northern Rockies), and Continental Ranges [1]. The Rocky Mountain Trench marks their western boundary [2] [5].
- Northern Rockies: These include the Lewis and Bitterroot ranges in western Montana and northeastern Idaho [2] [5].
- Middle Rockies: This group encompasses ranges like the Bighorn and Wind River ranges in Wyoming, the Wasatch Range of southeastern Idaho and northern Utah, and the Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah [2] [5]. The Absaroka Range connects the Northern and Middle Rockies [2] [5].
- Southern Rockies: Found primarily in Colorado and New Mexico, these ranges are generally higher than those in the Middle or Northern Rockies [2] [5]. Mount Elbert in Colorado, at 4,401 meters (14,440 feet) above sea level, is the highest peak in the entire Rocky Mountains [1] [2] [4] [5]. Colorado alone boasts 53 peaks over 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) [2] [6].
- Colorado Plateau: While distinct in its geological history, this high-elevation region in southeastern Utah, southwestern Colorado, northern Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico is sometimes considered part of the broader Rocky Mountain system [2] [5]. It is characterized by horizontal sedimentary rocks dissected by deep canyons, such as the Grand Canyon [2].
The Continental Divide of the Americas runs through the Rocky Mountains, separating waters that flow to the Atlantic or Arctic Oceans from those flowing to the Pacific Ocean [1] [5]. Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park is unique as water falling on it can reach the Atlantic, Pacific, and Hudson Bay [1] [5].
Geology
The Rocky Mountains formed during the Laramide orogeny, a period of intense plate tectonic activity that occurred between 80 million and 55 million years ago [1] [2] [6]. This mountain-building event involved the shallow-angle subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate, which caused a broad belt of mountains to form far inland from the plate boundary [1] [7]. Subsequent tectonic activity, erosion by glaciers, and other geological processes have sculpted the dramatic peaks and valleys seen today [1] [7]. The oldest rocks in the Rockies are Precambrian metamorphic rocks, dating back as far as 1.7 billion years ago [1]. Glaciation during the Pleistocene and Holocene Epochs further shaped the landscape, creating features like U-shaped valleys and cirques [1] [5].
Ecology and Climate
The Rocky Mountains exhibit a wide range of environmental factors due to their vast latitudinal and elevational spread [1]. Ecologists divide the Rockies into various biotic zones, defined by the presence of trees and indicator species [1]. These zones range from prairie at lower elevations to alpine tundra above the tree-line, which varies significantly with latitude [1] [5]. Forested zones include pinyon pines/junipers, ponderosa pines, Douglas firs, and various spruce and fir species [1].
The Rockies are a crucial habitat for diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, elk, moose, mule deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, wolves, lynxes, and cougars [1] [5] [8]. Conservation efforts have led to the partial recovery of some apex predators like grizzly bears and wolf packs in areas where they were previously extirpated [1]. However, human development, resource extraction, and climate change continue to pose threats to wildlife and their habitats [8].
Human History and Economy
Indigenous peoples have inhabited the Rocky Mountains since the last ice age, with tribes such as the Apache, Arapaho, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, and Shoshone hunting and gathering in the region [1] [5]. European exploration began in the 16th century with Spanish explorers, followed by French fur traders and later expeditions like Lewis and Clark [1]. The discovery of minerals and furs drove early economic exploitation [1].
Today, the economy of the Rocky Mountains is diverse, with significant industries including mining (copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, silver, tungsten, zinc, coal, natural gas, oil shale, and petroleum), agriculture, forestry, and recreation [1] [2]. Tourism is a major draw, with millions visiting annually for activities like hiking, camping, mountaineering, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, skiing, and snowboarding [1] [5]. Numerous national parks, such as Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton, and Rocky Mountain National Park in the U.S., and Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks in Canada, protect much of the range and serve as popular tourist destinations [1] [3] [5].
Hazards
Visitors to the Rocky Mountains should be aware of potential hazards, including encounters with bears and mountain lions, as well as environmental challenges like bugs, wildfires, adverse snow conditions, and cold temperatures [1]. Incidents involving falls from cliffs and falling rocks have also been reported [1].