Major Volcanoes of Canada

A remarkable number of volcanoes can be found in Canada, which have formed the country's varied topography. Major volcanoes can be found all over Canada, from the soaring peaks of the Pacific Ring of Fire to the far reaches of the Arctic. These enormous volcanoes, including Mount Garibaldi, Mount Meagre, and Mount Edziza, provide a window into Canada's geological past and demonstrate the force and splendour of the country's volcanic activity.

Features of Major Volcanoes of Canada

Here are some important facts and features of major volcanoes of Canada.

Mount Garibaldi

• Mount Garibaldi is a stratovolcano located in British Columbia, Canada.

• It has an elevation of approximately 2,678 meters.

• The volcano's last known eruption occurred around 8060 BCE.

• Mount Garibaldi is part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt.

• It is named after Italian military and political figure Giuseppe Garibaldi.

• The volcano is characterized by its steep slopes and conical shape.

Mount Meager

• Mount Meager is a complex volcanic system located in British Columbia, Canada.

• It has an elevation of approximately 2,680 meters.

• The volcano's last known eruption occurred around 2350 BCE.

• Mount Meager is known for its geothermal activity, hot springs, and fumaroles.

• The volcanic system includes several peaks and has a history of volcanic eruptions and landslides.

• It is part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt.

Mount Edziza

• Mount Edziza is a shield volcano located in British Columbia, Canada.

• It has an elevation of approximately 2,774 meters.

• The volcano's last known eruption occurred around 930 BCE.

• Mount Edziza is characterized by its extensive lava flows and volcanic features.

• The volcano is part of the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province.

• It is considered a sacred site for the Tahltan First Nation.

Hoodoo Mountain

• Hoodoo Mountain is a cinder cone volcano located in British Columbia, Canada.

• It has an elevation of approximately 1,756 meters.

• The volcano's last known eruption date is unknown.

• Hoodoo Mountain is known for its distinctive conical shape and cindery composition.

• The volcano is part of the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province.

• It is named after the hoodoo rock formations found in the area.

Castle Rock

• Castle Rock is a subglacial volcano located in Yukon Territory, Canada.

• It has an elevation of approximately 2,155 meters.

• The volcano's last known eruption date is unknown.

• Castle Rock is a unique volcanic feature formed under a glacier.

• The volcano is characterized by its flat-topped appearance.

• It is part of the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province.

Wells Gray-Clearwater Cone Group

• The Wells Gray-Clearwater Cone Group is a cluster of small volcanic cones located in British Columbia, Canada.

• It consists of approximately 50 volcanic cones and associated lava flows.

• The cones vary in size, shape, and composition.

• The volcanic activity of the Wells Gray-Clearwater Cone Group occurred over a span of several million years.

• This volcanic field is part of the Wells Gray Provincial Park.

• The cones exhibit a range of volcanic features, including cinder cones and lava flows.

Mount Cayley

• Mount Cayley is a stratovolcano and volcanic field located in British Columbia, Canada.

• It has an elevation of approximately 2,385 meters.

• The volcano's last known eruption occurred around 500 BCE.

• Mount Cayley is part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt.

• It is known for its volcanic activity, including lava flows, ash deposits, and pyroclastic flows.

• The volcano exhibits a complex volcanic structure with multiple vents and volcanic features.

Mount Edith Cavell

• Mount Edith Cavell is a mountain located in Alberta, Canada.

• It has an elevation of approximately 3,363 meters.

• The mountain is named after Edith Cavell, a British nurse executed during World War I.

• Mount Edith Cavell is a dormant subglacial volcano.

• The last known eruption date for this volcano is unknown.

• It is a prominent landmark in Jasper National Park.

Mount Meleze

• Mount Meleze is a shield volcano located in the Yukon Territory, Canada.

• It has an elevation of approximately 2,240 meters.

• The volcano's last known eruption occurred around 700,000 BCE.

• Mount Meleze is characterized by its broad, gentle slopes and lava flows.

• It is part of the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province.

• The volcano has a long history of volcanic activity and is composed of basaltic lava flows.

Tseax Cone

• Tseax Cone is a volcanic cone located in British Columbia, Canada.

• It has an elevation of approximately 610 meters.

• The volcano's last known eruption occurred in the year 1775.

• Tseax Cone is known for having the youngest volcanic eruption in Canada.

• The eruption resulted in a lava flow known as the "Tseax River Cone lava flow."

• The volcano is part of the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province.

List of Major Volcanoes of Canada

Here's a table showcasing major volcanoes of Canada, their locations, elevation, when they were last erupted and their notable feature.

Volcano	Location	Elevation (meters)	Last Eruption	Notable Feature
Mount Garibaldi	British Columbia	2,678	8060 BCE	Stratovolcano
Mount Meager	British Columbia	2,680	2350 BCE	Complex volcanic system
Mount Edziza	British Columbia	2,774	930 BCE	Shield volcano with lava flows
Hoodoo Mountain	British Columbia	1,756	Unknown	Cindery cone
Castle Rock	Yukon Territory	2,155	Unknown	Subglacial volcano
Wells Gray-Clearwater Cone Group	British Columbia	Varied	Various	Cluster of small volcanic cones
Mount Cayley	British Columbia	2,385	500 BCE	Stratovolcano and volcanic field
Mount Edith Cavell	Alberta	3,363	Unknown	Subglacial volcano with ice caves
Mount Meleze	Yukon Territory	2,240	700,000 BCE	Shield volcano with lava flows
Tseax Cone	British Columbia	610	1775	Youngest volcanic eruption in Canada

Conclusion

The major volcanoes of Canada showcase the country's rich geological history and its connection to the Pacific Ring of Fire. From the towering stratovolcanoes like Mount Garibaldi and Mount Meager to the shield volcanoes like Mount Edziza and Mount Meleze, these volcanic formations offer a glimpse into the dynamic forces that have shaped the Canadian landscape.

With their diverse features and volcanic activities, these volcanoes contribute to the scientific understanding of plate tectonics and volcanic processes. The major volcanoes of Canada are a testament to the country's geological significance and provide valuable insights into Earth's dynamic nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the tallest volcano in Canada?

Mount Garibaldi is the tallest volcano in Canada.

What is the largest volcanic field in Canada?

The Wells Gray-Clearwater Cone Group is the largest volcanic field in Canada.

Where can Mount Meager be found?

Mount Meager is located in British Columbia, Canada.

Which volcanic province is Mount Edziza a part of?

Mount Edziza is part of the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province.

When was the last known eruption of Tseax Cone?

The last known eruption of Tseax Cone occurred in 1775.

What is the geological significance of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt?

The Garibaldi Volcanic Belt is a volcanic arc in British Columbia, showcasing the subduction zone dynamics.

How old is the volcanic activity of Mount Cayley?

The volcanic activity of Mount Cayley occurred around 500 BCE.

Which province is Castle Rock located in?

Castle Rock is located in the Yukon Territory, Canada.

What is the distinctive feature of Hoodoo Mountain?

Hoodoo Mountain is known for its cinder cone shape and composition.

What is the approximate elevation of Mount Edith Cavell?

Mount Edith Cavell has an elevation of around 3,363 meters.