Final answer:
Wyoming is the state that features the Rocky Mountains, Bighorn Mountains, Laramie Mountains, Wind River Mountains, Black Hills, Teton Range, Devil's Tower, and Absaroka Range. Its geologic history is tied to the Laramide Orogeny and it's a part of the diverse and geologically rich Mountain West region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state that features the Rocky Mountains, Bighorn Mountains, Laramie Mountains, Wind River Mountains, Black Hills, Teton Range, Devil's Tower, and the Absaroka Range is Wyoming.
The Rocky Mountains formed during the Laramide Orogeny between 80 million to 55 million years ago and are characterized by a series of ranges and plateaus, including the Columbia Plateau and the Colorado Plateaus. Notable geological formations like the Devil's Tower, an immense igneous intrusion, and the various mountain ranges define Wyoming's diverse landscape.
Wyoming is situated in a region colloquially known as the Mountain West, which has experienced rapid population and economic growth. The state's geology includes igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, with the Rattlesnake Mountain Uplift, part of the Laramide Orogeny, featuring Precambrian basement rock. Wyoming's geological wonders continue to attract geologists, outdoor enthusiasts, and tourists alike.
The geological variety of Wyoming offers a unique outdoor laboratory, demonstrating the active and historical processes that have shaped the region.
This includes volcanic activity from the Yellowstone Hotspot and the extensional tectonics leading to the Basin and Range Province's characteristic landscape. Wyoming's varied topography reflects the rich geologic history of the Mountain West.