Viral Facebook Post Claims Wyoming Mountain Collapse—It’s a Hoax
UPDATE: A viral Facebook post falsely claiming that an entire mountain collapsed near Casper, Wyoming, has been confirmed as a hoax. The post, which circulated widely on December 6, 2025, originated from the satirical page “Casper Planet,” misleading many into believing that emergency crews were mobilizing for a significant geological disaster.
The fabricated story described a mountain collapse that reportedly created a massive crater “nearly a mile wide,” generating panic among residents. Local ranchers claimed to have heard a “deep thunderclap underground” just before the peak sank, leading to an immediate closure of the area due to safety concerns.
Authorities, including Wyoming Conservation Services and Natrona County Emergency Management, quickly urged the public to avoid the location while search and rescue teams were dispatched. However, this event never occurred, and the post was identified as a prank.
The viral image used in the post raised eyebrows due to the distorted appearance of vehicles, suggesting it was generated by artificial intelligence. Despite the clear disclaimer on the “Casper Planet” page stating that the content is satirical, many were misled, as the joke reached the top of Google News search results for “Wyoming mountain collapse.”
Earlier in 2022, a minor geological event did occur involving the Grand Teton’s Second Tower, located over 250 miles from Casper, but it was far less impactful than the claims of the viral post. Experts are now examining how such misinformation could spread so rapidly, highlighting the importance of verifying news sources.
Residents across central Wyoming reported feeling vibrations and low rumbles from the Teton event, but this was unrelated to the false claims about a mountain collapse near Casper.
As this situation unfolds, officials are reiterating the importance of checking the credibility of information sources before sharing news online. The public is reminded to stay informed through reliable channels, especially in times of potential emergency.
More updates will follow as authorities continue to monitor the situation and combat misinformation.
