Fiftytwo Ridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fiftytwo Ridge |
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Fight Lake and Fiftytwo Ridge with Battle Mountain behind
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,996 m (6,549 ft) |
| Prominence | 125 m (410 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Pleistocene |
| Mountain type | Subglacial volcano |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field |
| Last eruption | Pleistocene |
Fiftytwo Ridge is a mountain ridge in east-central British Columbia, Canada. It is located near Battle Mountain in the southeastern part of Wells Gray Provincial Park.
How Fiftytwo Ridge Formed
Fiftytwo Ridge is a special kind of volcano. It's part of the Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field. This ridge formed during the Pleistocene Ice Age. Back then, a huge ice sheet called the Cordilleran Ice Sheet covered this area.
Fiftytwo Ridge is a subglacial volcano. This means it erupted under a thick layer of ice. When the hot lava touched the ice, it caused big explosions. Today, you can find about 20 small craters here.
Some of these craters have a light rock called scoria. It has many air-holes, making it very light. If you visit in early summer, some craters might be filled with water. These water-filled craters are called maars.
How Fiftytwo Ridge Got Its Name
Fiftytwo Ridge has not always been called that. It got its current name in 1952. That year, two scientists, Ralph Ritcey and Pat Martin, studied the plants and animals here.
The name "Fiftytwo Ridge" is sometimes spelled differently. You might see "Fifty Two Ridge" or "52 Ridge." But the correct spelling, according to BC Geographical Names, is "Fiftytwo Ridge" as one word.
Before 1952, the ridge was known as "Bull Ridge." The valley between it and Battle Mountain was called "Bull Valley." Ranchers Laurence and Charlie Ludtke used to guide hunters here. They were looking for large caribou, which are a type of deer.
