Massive fissure opens up in Bighorn mountains - and it’s getting bigger

A slow-moving fissure in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains has grown to the size of nearly seven football fields. The remote mountain range crack began to form in September possibly due to excessive moisture, a state geologist said. A commercial hunting group discovered the massive opening last week and posted photos online. Hunters from SNS Outfitters and Guides said a device used to measure distance for hunting purposes suggested the fissure was 750 metres long and 50 metres wide.

Everyone here is calling it ‘the gash’. It’s a really incredible site.

SNS Outfitters and Guides

Seth Wittke, division manager of the Wyoming State Geological Survey, said the so-called “mass wasting event” was not uncommon but this particularly fissure was relatively large by state standards. He said most occur in remote areas and do not directly threaten lives or property. "Each landslide is unique. You can’t say whether this one will be the one to fail but the potential does exist,“ he added.