Nuthinaw Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nuthinaw Mountain |
|
|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,732 m (5,682 ft) |
| Prominence | 427 m (1,401 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Parent range | Stikine Plateau |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Subglacial mound |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province |
| Last eruption | Pleistocene |
Nuthinaw Mountain is a fascinating mountain located in northern British Columbia, Canada. It stands on the Stikine Plateau, about 72 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of Dease Lake. This mountain is special because it formed in a very unique way, deep under a thick sheet of ice!
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What is Nuthinaw Mountain?
Nuthinaw Mountain is a type of volcano called a subglacial mound. Imagine a volcano erupting, but instead of lava flowing freely, it's trapped under a huge glacier or ice sheet. This is exactly what happened here during the Pleistocene period, also known as the Ice Age.
How Nuthinaw Mountain Formed
During the Ice Age, this area was covered by massive glaciers. When a volcano erupted beneath this ice, the lava couldn't break through. Instead, the lava cooled quickly against the ice and water, building up a rounded, mound-like shape. This process created Nuthinaw Mountain. It's like a volcano that never quite made it to the surface through the ice!
The Pleistocene Ice Age
The Pleistocene period was a time when much of Earth was covered in ice. This period lasted from about 2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years ago. The cold temperatures and huge glaciers played a big role in shaping landscapes, including mountains like Nuthinaw.
The Name Nuthinaw
The name "Nuthinaw" comes from the Tahltan language. The Tahltan are an Indigenous people who have lived in this region for a very long time. In their language, "Nuthinaw" means "Cariboo fence went right into mountain." This name likely refers to how caribou were guided or fenced by the natural features of the land, including this mountain.
