Santa Clara Volcano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Clara Volcano |
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View of the southern Santa Clara cinder cone from the flanks of the northern one.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4843+ ft (1476+ m) NAVD 88 |
| Geography | |
| Location | Washington County, Utah United States |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 1,400,000 yrs |
| Mountain type | Volcanic field and cinder cones |
| Last eruption | 27,000 years ago |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
The Santa Clara Volcano is a special area in Washington County, Utah, United States. It's not just one volcano, but a "volcanic field." This means it has many places where lava has erupted over time. You can find it in the Diamond Valley.
The most famous parts of this area are two big hills called "cinder cones." These cones stand tall above Snow Canyon State Park. Most of these cones are actually inside the park. The city of St. George, Utah is also built right within this volcanic area. Scientists are not sure exactly when the last eruption happened.
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What is a Volcanic Field?
A volcanic field is a place on Earth where you can find many small volcanoes. These volcanoes are often simple in shape. They usually have erupted lava or ash from different spots. The Santa Clara Volcano area is a great example of this. It shows how the Earth's crust has been active there for a very long time.
Cinder Cones of Santa Clara
The two main features of the Santa Clara Volcano are its cinder cones. A cinder cone is a type of volcano that is shaped like a cone. It is made from small pieces of volcanic rock and ash. These pieces are called "cinders." They pile up around a volcanic vent.
Where are the Cinder Cones?
One cinder cone is to the north, and the other is to the south. The southern cone and most of the northern cone are inside Snow Canyon State Park. This park is a beautiful place. It has red rock cliffs and black lava flows. These lava flows came from the Santa Clara Volcano.
When Did it Erupt?
The Santa Clara Volcano has been around for a very long time. It started forming about 1.4 million years ago. The last time it erupted was about 27,000 years ago. This means it is now considered an inactive volcano. It is not expected to erupt again soon.
Lava Flows and the Landscape
When the Santa Clara Volcano erupted, it sent out lava. This hot, melted rock flowed across the land. As the lava cooled, it formed hard, black rock. You can still see these lava flows today. They make the landscape around Snow Canyon State Park very unique. These flows are a big part of the park's beauty. They also show us the powerful history of the Earth.
See also
In Spanish: Volcán Santa Clara para niños
