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Chasm Provincial Park facts for kids

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Chasm Provincial Park
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
Chasm - panoramio (3).jpg
The Great Chasm near Clinton, reflecting 10 million years of erosion
Chasm Provincial Park is located in British Columbia
Chasm Provincial Park
Chasm Provincial Park
Location in British Columbia
Location Thompson-Nicola RD, British Columbia, Canada
Nearest town Clinton
Area 3,145 ha (12.14 sq mi)
Established May 17 1940
Operator BC Parks

Chasm Provincial Park is a special natural area in British Columbia, Canada. It is located near the town of Clinton. This park was created in 1940 to protect an amazing natural feature. It's called the Painted Chasm, or simply The Chasm.

The Chasm is a huge gorge. It was formed over 10 million years! Imagine giant rivers of melting ice from glaciers. These rivers slowly carved out the land. They cut through a flat area made of old lava rock. This process is called erosion. The park was made bigger in 1995. It now covers about 3,067 hectares.

The Amazing Chasm

The walls of The Chasm are very tall. They are about 300 meters high on average. These walls show off beautiful colors. You can see shades of red, brown, yellow, and purple. The Chasm is about 600 meters wide. It stretches for about 8 kilometers in length.

The Chasm runs right next to an old historic route. This route is called the Cariboo Road. A railway line, the Canadian National Railway, also runs along the northern edge of the Chasm. Besides the deep gorge, the park also includes other areas. These include forests with tall ponderosa pine trees. There are also marshy areas and lakes within the park's boundaries.

Animals You Might See

Chasm Provincial Park is home to many different animals. If you visit, you might spot some wildlife.

  • Large Animals: You could see bighorn sheep. There are also moose and mule deer. Black bears and coyotes live here too.
  • Smaller Creatures: The park has many small mammals.
  • Birds: You can find various songbirds. Birds of prey, like eagles or hawks, also live in the park.

Images for kids

  • Chasm Provincial Park trees and flood basalts

    Multiple flood basalt flows and trees in Chasm Provincial Park

  • The Great Chasm, 13 miles above Clinton (15350700748)

    The Great Chasm in 1867, by Frederick Dally

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