Cocoa Crater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cocoa Crater |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,123 m (6,965 ft) |
| Prominence | 168 m (551 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Parent range | Tahltan Highland |
| Topo map | NTS 104G/10 |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Holocene |
| Mountain type | Cinder cone |
| Last eruption | Holocene |
Cocoa Crater is a special type of volcano known as a cinder cone. You can find it in the northwestern part of British Columbia, Canada. It's located about 38 kilometers (24 miles) southeast of Telegraph Creek. Cocoa Crater is also near Mount Edziza, a much larger volcano.
This crater is one of many smaller volcanoes in the area. It formed a long, long time ago, around the year 700. The ground around Cocoa Crater is covered in deep volcanic ash. Its top is a striking jet black, and it also has bright red parts. This makes it look quite different from its neighbor, Coffee Crater, which is mostly brown.
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What is a Cinder Cone?
A cinder cone is the simplest type of volcano. It's usually a cone-shaped hill built from volcanic ash and small rocks. These rocks are called cinders or scoria. When a volcano erupts, hot lava can shoot into the air. As it falls back down, it cools quickly and breaks into small, bubbly pieces. These pieces then pile up around the volcanic vent, forming the cone shape.
Cinder cones often have a bowl-shaped crater at their top. They are usually not very tall, often less than 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) high. They also tend to erupt only once.
Where is Cocoa Crater Located?
Cocoa Crater is found in a wild and beautiful part of Canada. It's in the Stikine Country region of British Columbia. This area is known for its rugged mountains and vast wilderness.
The crater is part of a larger group of volcanoes. This group is called the Mount Edziza volcanic complex. Imagine a whole family of volcanoes, and Cocoa Crater is one of its members! The area is quite remote, meaning it's far from big cities.
When Did Cocoa Crater Form?
Cocoa Crater is considered a very young volcano. It formed during a time period called the Holocene. The Holocene is the current geological epoch, which started about 11,700 years ago. So, when we say Cocoa Crater formed in the year 700, that's quite recent in Earth's long history!
Many volcanoes in the Mount Edziza complex are also from the Holocene period. This means there has been volcanic activity in this region relatively recently.
The Mount Edziza Volcanic Complex
Cocoa Crater is just one of about 30 cinder cones that are part of the huge Mount Edziza volcanic complex. This complex is a large area with many volcanoes. It's one of the biggest and most active volcanic areas in Canada.
The volcanoes here have erupted many times over millions of years. They have created a unique landscape with lava flows, ash fields, and different types of volcanic cones. Studying these volcanoes helps scientists understand more about how Earth's crust works.
What Makes Cocoa Crater Special?
One of the most interesting things about Cocoa Crater is its unique colors. Its summit, or top, is a deep, shiny black. But it also has parts that are bright red. This mix of colors makes it stand out.
Its neighbor, Coffee Crater, has a different look, being mostly brown. The different colors come from the types of minerals and rocks that make up each volcano. These colors can also change over time as the rocks weather and break down. The deep ash around Cocoa Crater also adds to its distinct appearance.
