O'Leary Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids O'Leary Peak |
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O'Leary Peak (center) from the Bonito Lava Flow. Darton Dome is at right.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,919 ft (2,719 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 1,778 ft (542 m) |
| Geography | |
 O'Leary Peak
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Coconino County, Arizona, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS O'Leary Peak |
| Geology | |
| Volcanic field | San Francisco volcanic field |
O'Leary Peak is a tall mountain in Arizona. It's actually an old, extinct volcano! It's part of a big group of volcanoes called the San Francisco volcanic field. You can find it north of Flagstaff, Arizona, near Sunset Crater National Monument. A special tower for watching out for fires was built on one of its smaller peaks. This mountain stands very tall, reaching about 8,919 feet (2,718 meters) into the sky.
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O'Leary Peak: A Sleeping Giant
O'Leary Peak is a type of volcano called a lava dome. It formed a very long time ago during the Pleistocene epoch. This means it's an ancient volcano that is no longer active. It's considered "extinct," so it won't erupt again.
What is a Lava Dome?
A lava dome is a round, dome-shaped hill. It forms when thick, sticky lava slowly oozes out of a volcano. This lava is too thick to flow far, so it piles up around the vent. Over time, it creates a steep-sided mound, like the shape of O'Leary Peak.
The San Francisco Volcanic Field
O'Leary Peak is one of many volcanoes in the San Francisco volcanic field. This field covers a large area in northern Arizona. It has hundreds of volcanoes, including cinder cones, lava domes, and even a large stratovolcano called the San Francisco Peaks. Most of these volcanoes are now extinct or dormant.
How Volcanoes Formed Here
The volcanoes in this field formed over millions of years. Hot melted rock, called magma, rose from deep inside the Earth. When it reached the surface, it erupted as lava. Each eruption built up new layers of rock. This created the many different volcanic shapes we see today.
The Fire Lookout Tower
On a smaller peak to the east of O'Leary Peak, there is a fire lookout tower. This tower is used by Forest Service rangers. They watch for wildfires in the surrounding forests. From the top of the tower, they have an amazing view. They can see for many miles in every direction. This helps them spot smoke quickly.
Why Lookout Towers Are Important
Fire lookout towers play a very important role. They help protect forests and communities from dangerous wildfires. Spotting a fire early means firefighters can get there faster. This can stop a small fire from becoming a huge, destructive one. The O'Leary Peak tower helps keep the beautiful Arizona forests safe.
Exploring the Area
O'Leary Peak is located in Coconino County, Arizona. It's close to the city of Flagstaff. The area around the peak is popular for outdoor activities. You can find hiking trails and enjoy nature. The nearby Sunset Crater National Monument is also a great place to visit. It shows off more amazing volcanic landscapes.
Rocks of O'Leary Peak
The rocks found on O'Leary Peak are mostly andesite. Andesite is a type of volcanic rock. It forms from lava that is thicker than the lava that makes basalt. Sometimes, you can find porphyry in the andesite. Porphyry means the rock has larger crystals mixed in with smaller ones. This shows how the lava cooled slowly at first.
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View of the San Francisco Peaks from O'Leary Lookout, 2009
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Sample of andesite porphyry from summit of O'Leary peak
