The Rocky Mountains, a vast and rugged mountain range stretching over 2,000 miles across North America, are a testament to the immense geological forces that have shaped the continent over millions of years. From their origins as a shallow sea to their current status as a towering, snow-capped range, the Rockies are a dynamic and ever-changing landscape. Geologists are now uncovering the secrets of these mountains, revealing how the remains of ancient sea creatures ended up thousands of feet in the air and how the powerful forces of plate tectonics and erosion continue to shape the range today.