Skukum Group facts for kids
The Skukum Group is a collection of ancient volcanoes and their remains in northern British Columbia and southern Yukon, Canada. These volcanoes are about 55 million years old! Imagine how long ago that was. The Skukum Group is made up of several separate calderas, which are like giant bowl-shaped holes left after a volcano erupts and collapses. These calderas stretch in a line from the southern part of Atlin Lake all the way to Bennett Lake and then to Aishihik Lake.
The rocks from the Skukum Group are found close to the Mount Skukum area, which is known for its gold deposits. This area is southwest of a city called Whitehorse. One of the most famous calderas in this group is the Bennett Lake Volcanic Complex.
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What is a Volcanic Group?
A volcanic group is like a family of volcanoes that are related in some way. They might be in the same area, formed around the same time, or share similar types of rock. The Skukum Group is special because it's a collection of ancient volcanoes that once erupted in what is now Canada.
How Do Calderas Form?
Calderas are super interesting! They form when a volcano erupts with a huge amount of magma (molten rock) from its chamber underground. Once the magma is gone, the ground above the empty chamber collapses inwards, creating a large, bowl-shaped depression. Sometimes, these depressions fill with water and become lakes, like Crater Lake in the USA.
The Bennett Lake Volcanic Complex
The Bennett Lake Volcanic Complex is a key part of the Skukum Group. It's a great example of a caldera that formed millions of years ago. Scientists study places like this to understand how volcanoes work and how the Earth's surface has changed over time.
Where is the Skukum Group Located?
The Skukum Group is found in a beautiful and wild part of Canada. It stretches across the northern part of British Columbia and into the southern part of Yukon. This region is known for its stunning lakes, mountains, and forests.
Geological Time: The Eocene Epoch
The Skukum Group formed about 55 million years ago during a time called the Eocene Epoch. This was a period in Earth's history when many new types of mammals appeared, and the climate was generally much warmer than it is today. Studying these ancient volcanoes helps us learn about the Earth's past environments.
Why is the Skukum Group Important?
The Skukum Group is important for several reasons. It helps scientists understand:
- Volcanic Activity: It shows us where and when major volcanic eruptions happened in Canada's past.
- Geological History: It provides clues about how the land was formed and changed over millions of years.
- Mineral Deposits: The volcanic activity that created the Skukum Group also played a role in forming valuable mineral deposits, like the gold found near Mount Skukum.
See also
- Volcanism of Canada
- Volcanism of Western Canada
- List of volcanoes in Canada
- Skookum
