Nazko Cone facts for kids
Nazko Cone is a small volcano located in central British Columbia, Canada. It's found about 75 kilometers (47 miles) west of the town of Quesnel. This volcano is part of a larger chain of volcanoes called the Anahim Volcanic Belt. The last time Nazko Cone erupted was a very long time ago, about 7,200 years ago!
Exploring Nazko Cone: A Canadian Volcano
A volcano is like a mountain with a hole in the top that sometimes lets out hot, melted rock, ash, and gases from deep inside the Earth. Nazko Cone is a type of volcano called a cinder cone. Cinder cones are usually small and have steep sides, often shaped like a cone.
Why Are There Earthquakes at Nazko Cone?
Starting on October 10, 2007, a series of small earthquakes began happening near Nazko Cone. Most of these earthquakes were very tiny, with a strength of 1.0 or less. However, some were stronger, reaching a strength of 3.2. These earthquakes happened deep underground, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) below the surface.
Scientists believe these earthquakes are caused by molten rock, called magma, moving and rising up from deep inside the Earth. This area doesn't have any major faults (cracks in the Earth's crust) or tectonic plate boundaries nearby, which are usually the cause of most earthquakes.
What is the Anahim Hotspot?
The magma causing these earthquakes comes from something called the Anahim hotspot. A hotspot is a place deep within the Earth where it's extra hot. This heat melts the rock above it, creating magma that can then rise to the surface and cause volcanoes and earthquakes. The activity from this hotspot continues even today.
