Grizzly Mountain (Oregon) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Grizzly Mountain
The northeast slope of Grizzly Mountain.
Highest point
Elevation	5,629 ft (1,716 m) NAVD 88
Prominence	1,475 ft (450 m)
Geography
Grizzly Mountain Location in Oregon
Location	Crook County, Oregon, U.S.
Topo map	USGS Grizzly Mountain

Grizzly Mountain is a cool mountain located in Crook County, in the middle of Oregon. It's pretty close to the city of Prineville. The very top of Grizzly Mountain, called its summit, is about 5,629 feet (1,716 m) high!

This mountain is made of a special kind of rock called welded tuff. It's also an important part of something much bigger: the Crooked River caldera.

What is Grizzly Mountain?

Grizzly Mountain stands tall in Central Oregon. It's a significant landmark in Crook County. Imagine a big hill that's actually part of an ancient volcano!

How High is Grizzly Mountain?

The highest point of Grizzly Mountain reaches an elevation of 5,629 feet. That's over a mile high! From its summit, you can see amazing views of the surrounding Oregon landscape.

What is Welded Tuff?

Grizzly Mountain is mostly made of welded tuff. This might sound like a strange name, but it's actually a type of rock formed from volcanic ash.

• When a volcano erupts, it can shoot out hot ash and rock pieces.
• If this ash is super hot and lands in a thick layer, it can get squished and stick together.
• Over time, it cools down and becomes a hard, strong rock called welded tuff. It's like the ash got "welded" together by the heat!

The Crooked River Caldera

Grizzly Mountain is part of a much larger geological feature called the Crooked River caldera.

What is a Caldera?

A caldera is a huge, bowl-shaped hole in the ground. It forms when a volcano erupts with so much force that its magma chamber (the underground pocket of molten rock) empties out.

• After the eruption, the ground above the empty chamber collapses inwards.
• This creates a massive depression, much larger than a regular volcano crater.
• The Crooked River caldera is an ancient example of this powerful process.

Grizzly Mountain's Volcanic Past

Grizzly Mountain itself is a remnant of this ancient volcanic activity. It's not an active volcano today, but its rocks tell the story of a fiery past. The welded tuff that makes up the mountain is direct evidence of those powerful eruptions long ago.

Location and Surroundings

Grizzly Mountain is located in a beautiful part of Oregon. It's surrounded by diverse landscapes typical of Central Oregon.

Where is Crook County?

Crook County is in the central part of Oregon. It's known for its natural beauty, including forests, rivers, and mountains. The city of Prineville is the county seat and a nearby community to Grizzly Mountain.