San Carlos volcanic field facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Carlos Volcanic Field |
|
|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,000 m (3,300 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Arizona, United States |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Neogene |
| Mountain type | Volcanic field |
| Last eruption | ~ 1 million years ago |
The San Carlos volcanic field is a special area in Arizona where you can find many small volcanoes. It's called a monogenetic volcanic field because each volcano in it only erupted once. This field is located inside the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of a town called Globe, Arizona.
This volcanic field isn't huge, covering about 50 square kilometers (19 square miles) or less. It's made up of many volcanic cones and lava flows. The lava here is a type called basalt, which can be either basanite or hawaiite.
What Makes the Rocks Special?
The lava flows at San Carlos are really interesting because they contain something called xenoliths. Imagine the lava as a liquid, and these xenoliths are like little pieces of solid rock that got caught in the lava as it traveled up from deep inside the Earth.
These xenoliths are often made of a rock called peridotite. But the coolest part is that one specific vent, called Peridot Mesa, is famous for having lots of beautiful, gem-quality peridot stones. These peridot gems are found inside special xenoliths called lherzolite nodules. It's like finding treasure hidden in the rocks!
When Did It Last Erupt?
The volcanoes in the San Carlos volcanic field are quite old. They last erupted about 1 million years ago. That's a very long time, so you don't need to worry about them erupting again anytime soon!
Cool Places to See
One of the most famous spots in the San Carlos volcanic field is Peridot Mesa. This is where those amazing green peridot gems are found. It's a unique place that shows us what the Earth is made of deep down.
