Noranda Caldera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Noranda Calera |
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The Noranda Caldera is shown in pale yellow.
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| Location | Quebec, Canada |
| Range | Canadian Shield |
| Geology | Calderas |
The Noranda Caldera is a very old and large underwater volcano crater. It is found in Quebec, Canada. This caldera is part of an even bigger area called the Blake River Megacaldera Complex.
A caldera is a huge bowl-shaped hollow. It forms when the ground collapses after a big volcanic eruption. The Noranda Caldera has a thick layer of volcanic rocks inside it. These rocks are 7 to 9 kilometers (about 4 to 5.5 miles) thick. They were created during five major periods of volcanic activity.
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What is the Noranda Caldera?
The Noranda Caldera is an ancient volcano crater. It formed a very long time ago, during the Archaean Eon. This was billions of years ago, when Earth was much younger.
It was also a "subaqueous" caldera. This means it formed and erupted underwater. Over time, the land has changed, and parts of it are now on dry land.
Where is the Noranda Caldera located?
The Noranda Caldera is located in the province of Quebec, Canada. It is part of the Canadian Shield, a vast area of ancient rock. This region is known for its rich geological history.
It sits within a larger group of ancient volcanoes. This group is called the Blake River Megacaldera Complex.
How did the Noranda Caldera form?
The Noranda Caldera formed from powerful volcanic eruptions. When a volcano erupts, it can empty out its magma chamber. This is the underground space holding molten rock.
If the chamber becomes empty, the ground above it can collapse. This collapse creates the large, bowl-shaped depression we call a caldera. The Noranda Caldera had five big eruptions that helped shape it. These eruptions produced many different kinds of volcanic rocks.
Why is the Noranda Caldera important?
The Noranda Caldera is very important for understanding how valuable metals form. Scientists study it to learn about Metallogeny. This is the study of how and where metal deposits are created.
The Noranda Caldera has helped create many important metal deposits. These metals are useful for many things in our daily lives. Other nearby calderas, like the New Senator Caldera and Misema Caldera, are also being studied. Scientists want to see if they had a similar impact on forming metals.
