Devils Tower, Wyoming

Coordinates: 44 48 N 104 55 W
Height: 865 feet (284 m)
Whether out of vanity or a genuine appreciation for geography, the Devil has left his mark across the American landscape in the form of Paws, Thumbs, Elbows, and most notably, a Tower. Established as the first national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on Sept. 24, 1906, and once described as “inaccessible to anything without wings” by a 19th century geologist, Devils Tower, Wyoming celebrates its centennial this year. The tower is located in the northeastern corner of the state not far from the Black Hills, and its formation is best understood as an igneous intrusion—a process that occurs when molten rock is forced up into sedimentary layers above. Now a popular destination for hikers, campers, and climbers, Devils Tower also appears in the sacred narratives of six different Plains Indian tribes, often with the name Bear’s Lodge or Tipi.

—.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) is the editor of the Oxford Atlas of the World.

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