Frosty Peak Volcano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frosty Peak Volcano |
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Frosty Peak Volcano, a stratovolcano at the southwest end of the Alaska Peninsula
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,299 ft (1,920 m) |
| Prominence | 6,772 ft (2,064 m) |
| Listing | Mountain peaks of Alaska |
| Geography | |
 Frosty Peak Volcano
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Alaska Peninsula, Alaska, U.S. |
| Parent range | Aleutian Range |
| Topo map | USGS McCarthy B-2 |
| Geology | |
| Formed by | Subduction zone volcanism |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Volcanic arc | Aleutian Arc |
| Last eruption | Unknown - Pleistocene or later |
Frosty Peak Volcano, also known as Mt. Frosty or Cold Bay Volcano, is a towering mountain in Alaska. It stands 6,299 feet (1,920 meters) tall. This impressive peak is a type of volcano called a stratovolcano. You can find it at the very end of the Alaska Peninsula in the U.S. state of Alaska.
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Discovering Frosty Peak Volcano
Frosty Peak is not just any mountain; it's an active part of the Aleutian Range. It's a fascinating place where Earth's powerful forces have shaped the landscape over millions of years. Understanding how it formed helps us learn about our planet's history.
What is a Stratovolcano?
A stratovolcano is a tall, cone-shaped volcano. It's built up over time by many layers of hardened lava, ash, and volcanic rocks. Think of it like a giant cake made of different ingredients! These volcanoes often have steep slopes and sometimes erupt explosively. Frosty Peak is a great example of this type of volcano.
The Ancient History of Frosty Peak
Frosty Peak is the newest and tallest part of a larger group of volcanoes. Scientists believe it formed 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. It's possible Frosty Peak even erupted more recently than that!
Frosty Peak is actually the southern cone of a "double-coned" volcano, which means it has two main peaks. This larger volcano is simply called Frosty Volcano. It also formed during the middle part of the Pleistocene epoch, even before the last major ice age, known as the Wisconsin Glaciation.
The Older Morzhovoi Volcano
Before Frosty Volcano even existed, there was an even older and larger volcano named Morzhovoi Volcano. It likely formed much earlier in the Pleistocene epoch. Over time, Morzhovoi Volcano collapsed inward, creating a huge bowl-shaped depression called a caldera. Imagine a giant crater left behind after a volcano's top falls in! Today, the highest parts remaining from this ancient caldera are known as North and South Walrus Peak. These peaks are like the edges of the old, collapsed volcano.
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Images for kids
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Frosty Peak
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Map showing volcanoes of Alaska. The mark is set at the location of Cold Bay Volcano.
