Ellesmere Island Volcanics facts for kids
The Ellesmere Island Volcanics are a collection of old, inactive volcanoes and hardened lava on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada. These volcanoes formed a very long time ago, during the Cretaceous Period. What makes them special is that they are the most northern volcanoes ever found on Earth!
Contents
What are the Ellesmere Island Volcanics?
The Ellesmere Island Volcanics are like a group of ancient mountains that used to be volcanoes. They are called a "volcanic group" because they include several volcanoes and many places where lava once flowed. Today, these volcanoes are "extinct," which means they are no longer active and are not expected to erupt again.
Where are these volcanoes located?
These unique volcanoes are found on Ellesmere Island. This island is part of Nunavut, a large territory in northern Canada. Ellesmere Island is very far north, which is why these volcanics are known as the northernmost volcanoes on our planet.
When did they form?
The Ellesmere Island Volcanics formed during a time called the Cretaceous Period. This period was a very long time ago, roughly between 145 and 66 million years ago. This was the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth!
Part of the Arctic Cordillera
The Ellesmere Island Volcanics are also part of a large mountain range called the Arctic Cordillera. This mountain range stretches across the northeastern part of Canada and includes many islands in the Arctic. It's a rugged and beautiful area, and these ancient volcanoes are a unique part of its landscape.
