The Tooth of Time is an igneous intrusion of dacite porphyry formed in the tertiary period some 22 to 40 million years ago.

It is an igneous intrusion of dacite porphyry formed in the Paleogene Period of the Cenozoic Era some 22-40 million years ago.

The Tooth rises prominently from the valley floor, some 2,500 feet (760 m) below, creating a sheer vertical face unable to support substantial plant life.

The Tooth was formed when magma from deep within the Earth rose through older rock layers and slowly cooled.

[2] The first roped ascent of the main face was completed in July, 1972 by Lee Davis, Rick Barrett and Randy Wright.