What is Josiah Whitney's version of how the valley's formed yosemite?

Answer 1

Josiah Whitney, a prominent geologist in the 19th century, proposed that Yosemite Valley was formed primarily through glacial activity. He suggested that immense glaciers carved out the valley during the last Ice Age, shaping its distinctive U-shaped profile and creating its steep granite walls. Whitney's theory emphasized the role of glacial erosion in shaping the landscape, which was later supported by further geological studies. His work significantly contributed to the understanding of Yosemite's geology and the processes that formed its stunning features.