Anahim Peak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anahim Peak
West side of Anahim Peak
Highest point
Elevation	1,897 m (6,224 ft)
Prominence	542 m (1,778 ft)
Listing	Mountains of British Columbia
Geography
Anahim Peak Location in British Columbia
District	Range 3 Coast Land District
Parent range	Chilcotin Plateau
Topo map	NTS 92C13 Ucluelet
Geology
Age of rock	6.7 million years
Mountain type	Volcanic plug
Volcanic belt	Anahim Volcanic Belt

Anahim Peak, also known as Anaham, ʔAnaghim, or Anaheim, is a special kind of mountain in British Columbia, Canada. It's actually an ancient volcanic cone. This peak is part of the Anahim Volcanic Belt. It stands out on its own, rising from the Chilcotin Plateau. It's located about 39 kilometers (24 miles) northwest of Anahim Lake.

Anahim Peak was formed millions of years ago. This happened when the North American Plate moved over a very hot spot deep inside the Earth. This hot spot is called the Anahim hotspot. It's similar to the one that created the Hawaiian Islands.

Anahim Peak: A Unique Volcano

Anahim Peak is a volcanic plug. This means it's the hardened lava that filled the vent of an ancient volcano. Over time, the softer outer parts of the volcano wore away. This left behind the tough, solid core. It's like the "tooth" of an old volcano sticking out of the ground.

This peak is part of the Anahim Volcanic Belt. This belt is a chain of volcanoes. It stretches across British Columbia. Anahim Peak is one of several volcanoes in this belt. It rises between the Rainbow Range and the Ilgachuz Range. It's also near where the Dean River begins.

How Anahim Peak Was Formed

Anahim Peak was created by a "hotspot." Imagine a giant, super-hot plume of melted rock (magma) rising from deep within the Earth. This plume stays in one place. But the Earth's surface, called the North American Plate, slowly moves over it.

As the plate moved, the hotspot punched through it. This created volcanoes one after another. Anahim Peak is one of these volcanoes. It formed about 6.7 million years ago. This process is similar to how the famous Hawaiian Islands were made.

The Names of Anahim Peak

Anahim Peak has several names. Each name tells us something important about the mountain.

Indigenous Names for the Peak

The Carrier (Dakelh) people call Anahim Peak Bes But'a. This name means "obsidian peak." Obsidian is a type of natural glass.

The Tsilhqot'in Nation also has names for the mountain. They call it Bis Nadiʔah, which also means "obsidian peak." Another Tsilhqot'in name is Tŝi-bis Gunlin Xadalgwenlh. This means "mountain where there is obsidian stone."

The word bes (or bis in Tŝilhqot’in) is important. It's been anglicized as "beece." This was an early name for the mountain.

The Name "Anahim"

The name "Anahim" comes from Chief Anahim. He was an important leader of the Tsilhqot'in people in the mid-1800s. Naming the peak after him honors his legacy.

An Important Place for People

Anahim Peak was a very important place for local Indigenous peoples. This includes the Nuxalk, Tsilhqot'in, and Dakelh peoples.

Obsidian: A Valuable Resource

The mountain was a major source of obsidian. Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass. It was highly valued because it could be made into extremely sharp tools. People used it to make arrowheads and cutting knives. It was also used to create beautiful jewelry.

Obsidian from Anahim Peak was traded far and wide. It traveled all over the BC Interior. It was also traded up and down the Coast from Bella Coola. This shows how important and valuable this material was.

Other Resources in the Area

Besides obsidian, another important resource was found here. Red ochre was also taken from this area. Red ochre is a natural pigment. It was used for paint and decoration.

Anahim Peak is not far from the small community of Anahim Lake. This area continues to be significant for local communities.

See also

• List of volcanoes of Canada
• Anahim hotspot
• Anahim Volcanic Belt
• Volcanism in Canada
• Anahim (disambiguation)