Kookooligit Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kookooligit Mountains |
|
|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,208 ft (673 m) |
| Listing | List of volcanoes in the United States of America |
| Geography | |
| Location | St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, United States |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Holocene |
| Mountain type | Shield volcano |
| Last eruption | Unknown |
The Kookooligit Mountains are a special kind of mountain range found on St. Lawrence Island in Alaska, United States. They are actually a large volcano that looks like a mountain range!
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About the Kookooligit Mountains
These mountains are located in the north-central part of St. Lawrence Island. This island is in the state of Alaska, which is part of the United States. The Kookooligit Mountains are not just regular mountains; they are made from volcanic activity.
The main part of the Kookooligit Mountains is a huge shield volcano. This volcano is about 30 km (19 mi) long and 40 km (25 mi) wide. On top of this large volcano, there are more than 100 smaller volcanic cones. Think of it like a giant pancake (the shield volcano) with lots of smaller hills (the cones) on top! These volcanic cones are made of different kinds of volcanic rocks.
What is a Shield Volcano?
A shield volcano is a type of volcano that looks like a warrior's shield lying on the ground. It has very wide and gentle slopes, not steep ones like some other volcanoes. These volcanoes form when thin, runny lava flows out easily and spreads far and wide. Over many eruptions, the lava builds up layer by layer, creating a broad, dome-shaped mountain. The Kookooligit Mountains are a great example of this type of volcano.
What are Volcanic Cones?
Volcanic cones are smaller, cone-shaped hills that often form on the sides or top of larger volcanoes. They are created during smaller, more explosive eruptions. When lava and ash are thrown into the air, they fall back down around the vent, building up a cone shape. The Kookooligit Mountains have over 100 of these smaller cones scattered across their surface.
When Did They Form?
The Kookooligit Mountains are considered to be from the Holocene age. This means they are relatively young in geological terms, forming in the last 11,700 years. While we don't know exactly when the last eruption happened, these mountains are a reminder of Alaska's active volcanic past.
