A geological formation long known as the Devil’s Tower National Monument is at the center of a staggering new claim: it is not a mountain but the petrified stump of a pre-flood “Biblical tree” deliberately felled by angels. This explosive assertion, gaining rapid traction across social media platforms, draws from ancient apocryphal texts to challenge mainstream geology and history.
The theory originates from a viral video analysis by Instagram user Ryan Murphy, which juxtaposes images of the Wyoming landmark with illustrations of giant tree stumps. Proponents argue the site’s striking columnar basalt formations are not volcanic rock but the fossilized remains of a colossal tree cut down before Noah’s Flood. They claim its hexagonal patterning mirrors the cellular structure of wood.
Central to the narrative is the Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish text not included in the canonical Bible. The text describes a primordial world inhabited by giants, the Nephilim, and mentions angels cutting down enormous trees. Advocates insist this was a divine strategic action to prevent the giants from climbing these trees to escape the impending deluge.
“The government calls it Devil’s Tower and says it’s just a mountain,” states the video narrator. “But look at the ‘roots’ and the flat top. It was perfectly sawn down. This was done intentionally by angels sent by God.” The claim extends to other global sites with similar morphology, suggesting a coordinated ancient event hidden by modern authorities.
Skeptics, including geologists and historians, uniformly dismiss the theory. The United States Geological Survey has long documented the formation as an igneous intrusion, a remnant of volcanic activity roughly 50 million years ago, weathered over eons. The distinctive columns are a result of the cooling and contraction of magma, a common geological process.
“The columnar jointing we see at Devil’s Tower is a textbook example of volcanic geology,” said Dr. Eleanor Vance, a professor of earth sciences. “To claim it is a petrified tree requires ignoring over a century of robust scientific study and the basic laws of biology and physics. Trees do not grow to be two miles tall.”
Despite the scientific consensus, the theory has ignited fervent discussion online, tapping into broader cultural currents of alternative archaeology and distrust of institutional narratives. Comment sections are flooded with debates over historical censorship, the validity of non-canonical scriptures, and the true nature of Earth’s ancient past.
Proponents counter that mainstream science is willfully blind. They point to perceived similarities between the formation’s base and tree roots, and its flat top resembling a cut stump. “How can anyone look at this and see just a mountain?” the video challenges, highlighting other global rock formations with horizontal banding that believers interpret as the grain of felled timber.
Theological scholars also express caution. “The Book of Enoch is a fascinating piece of Second Temple Jewish literature, rich in apocalyptic imagery,” notes religious studies professor Dr. Ian Carter. “Interpreting its poetic and symbolic descriptions as literal, physical history is a significant hermeneutical leap not supported by mainstream scholarship.”
The controversy underscores the powerful intersection of faith, conspiracy, and digital media. For believers, the claim validates scriptural accounts and reveals a hidden truth about Earth’s antediluvian era. For critics, it is a case study in pseudoscience, where compelling visuals are prioritized over empirical evidence.
As the video continues to circulate, amassing millions of views, it prompts a larger question about how ancient myths are reconciled with modern understanding in the digital age. The discussion shows no signs of abating, with calls for further “investigation” into other so-called petrified tree sites around the world.
National Park Service officials at Devil’s Tower have reported no change in visitor protocols but note an increase in questions regarding the formation’s origins. The monument remains a site of profound natural wonder, its true history—whether viewed through the lens of geology or scripture—continuing to captivate the human imagination.
Source: YouTube