Mount Cautley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Cautley |
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 Mount Cautley
Location in Alberta
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,870 m (9,420 ft) |
| Prominence | 495 m (1,624 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Alberta British Columbia |
| Parent range | Continental Ranges |
| Topo map | NTS 82J/13 |
Mount Cautley is a majestic mountain found on the border of Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. It stands proudly on the Continental Divide, a special line that separates where water flows. This mountain is named after Richard W. Cautley, an important surveyor from Ipswich, England.
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What is Mount Cautley?
Mount Cautley is a significant peak in the Canadian Rockies. It reaches an impressive height of 2,870 meters (about 9,416 feet) above sea level. This makes it one of the many tall mountains in this famous mountain range.
Where is the Continental Divide?
The Continental Divide is like a giant natural line across North America. On one side, all the rain and melted snow flow towards the Pacific Ocean. On the other side, the water flows towards the Atlantic Ocean or the Arctic Ocean. Mount Cautley sits right on this important dividing line.
Who was Richard W. Cautley?
Richard W. Cautley was a skilled surveyor. A surveyor is a person who measures and maps out land. They use special tools to figure out distances, angles, and elevations. This helps create accurate maps and define boundaries.
Mapping the Canadian Rockies
Richard W. Cautley was part of the Alberta/British Columbia Boundary Commission. This group had a very important job: to map the exact borders between these two provinces. They focused on the mountain passes in the Canadian Rockies. Mountain passes are lower areas in mountain ranges that make it easier to travel through.
Why was this mapping important?
Mapping these boundaries was crucial for many reasons. It helped define where each province's land ended and the other's began. This was important for things like managing resources, setting up towns, and planning transportation routes. Accurate maps also helped people explore and understand the vast Canadian wilderness.
Exploring the Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies are a huge mountain range known for their stunning beauty. They feature jagged peaks, clear blue lakes, and thick forests. Many people visit the Rockies for hiking, climbing, and enjoying nature. Mountains like Mount Cautley are a big part of what makes this area so special.
How Mountains Are Formed
Mountains like Mount Cautley are formed over millions of years. This happens when huge pieces of the Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, slowly push against each other. The immense pressure causes the land to fold, crack, and lift upwards, creating towering peaks. This process is still happening today, though very slowly.
