Blackfly Tuya facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Blackfly Tuya
Blackfly Tuya Location in British Columbia
Highest point
Elevation	1,373 m (4,505 ft)
Geography
Location	British Columbia, Canada
Geology
Mountain type	Tuya
Volcanic arc/belt	Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province
Last eruption	Pleistocene

Blackfly Tuya is a unique type of volcano called a tuya. You can find it in the northern part of British Columbia, Canada. It stands tall at about 1,373 meters (4,505 feet) above sea level. This mountain is part of a larger group of volcanoes known as the Tuya volcanic field. It sits close to other interesting volcanic spots like West Vent, Volcano Vent, and Grizzly Butte. These together form the West Tuya lava field.

What is a Tuya?

Have you ever seen a mountain with a flat top and steep sides? That's what a tuya looks like! Tuyas are special volcanoes that erupt under a thick sheet of ice or a glacier. When the hot lava meets the cold ice, it cools very quickly. This process creates the unique flat-topped shape.

How Does a Tuya Form?

Imagine a volcano erupting deep under a huge ice sheet.

• First, the lava melts the ice directly above it. This creates a lake of meltwater inside the ice.
• The lava then flows into this lake. Because it cools so fast, it forms a pillow-like rock called pillow lava.
• As more lava erupts, it builds up layers. These layers eventually reach the surface of the meltwater lake.
• Once the lava breaks through the water, it starts to flow more like a normal volcano. It spreads out, creating the flat top.
• When the ice melts away completely, the tuya is left standing. Its steep sides show where the ice once held the lava in place.

Where is Blackfly Tuya Located?

Blackfly Tuya is located in a wild and beautiful part of northern British Columbia. This area is known for its rugged mountains and vast forests. It's part of the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province. This is a large region with many volcanoes stretching across western Canada and into Alaska.

What is the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province?

The Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province is like a chain of volcanoes. It runs along the western edge of North America. This area has been volcanically active for millions of years. It's a place where the Earth's plates are moving, causing magma to rise to the surface. Many different types of volcanoes, including tuyas, can be found here.

When Did Blackfly Tuya Last Erupt?

Blackfly Tuya last erupted a very long time ago, during a period called the Pleistocene epoch. This was an ice age that lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. During the Pleistocene, much of Canada was covered by massive ice sheets. This is why tuyas like Blackfly Tuya are found in this region. Their formation is directly linked to these ancient ice ages.

What Was the Pleistocene Epoch Like?

The Pleistocene epoch was a time of repeated ice ages. Huge glaciers covered large parts of the Earth. Animals like woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats roamed the land. The climate was much colder than it is today. The formation of Blackfly Tuya tells us about the powerful forces of nature at work during this icy period.

Is Blackfly Tuya Part of a Volcanic Field?

Yes, Blackfly Tuya is part of the Tuya volcanic field. A volcanic field is an area with many small volcanoes. These volcanoes often share the same source of magma deep underground. The Tuya volcanic field is famous for having many tuyas. This makes it a great place to study how these unique volcanoes form.

Other Volcanoes Nearby

Blackfly Tuya is not alone. It has neighbors like West Vent, Volcano Vent, and Grizzly Butte. These are also part of the West Tuya lava field. Studying these volcanoes together helps scientists understand the history of volcanic activity in this region. Each one tells a part of the Earth's story.