TheGros Ventre landslide (/ˌɡroʊˈvɑːnt/groh-VAHNT) is in theGros Ventre Wilderness ofBridger-Teton National Forest,Wyoming,United States. The Gros Ventrelandslide is seven miles (11 km) east ofJackson Hole valley andGrand Teton National Park.
The landslide occurred on June 23, 1925, following melt from a heavy snowpack, several weeks of heavy rain, and earthquake tremors in the area.[1] Approximately 50,000,000 cu yd (38,000,000 m3; 1.4×109 cu ft) of primarilysedimentary rock slid down the north face ofSheep Mountain, crossed over theGros Ventre River and rode up the opposite mountainside a distance of 300 feet (91 m).[2] The landslide created a largedam over 200 feet (61 m) high and 400 yards (370 m) wide across the Gros Ventre River, backing up the water and formingLower Slide Lake.
On May 18, 1927, part of thelandslide dam failed, resulting in a massive flood that was six feet (1.8 m) deep for at least 25 miles (40 km) downstream. The small town ofKelly, six miles (9.7 km) downstream, was wiped out, killing six people. It is one of the world's largest known examples of recentmass wasting events aside from volcanic eruptions. Slide Lake is now much smaller than before the flood.
Today, the landslide is partially reclaimed by the surroundingforest but is still an obvious landmark from many vantage points in the Jackson Hole valley. It is easily accessible by traveling north fromJackson, Wyoming or south fromMoran, Wyoming and then taking the Antelope Flats road east offU.S. Route 26.
In French, Gros Ventre means big belly / big stomach.
43°37′14″N110°32′58″W / 43.6205°N 110.5495°W /43.6205; -110.5495
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