South Tuya facts for kids

South Tuya, also called Southern Tuya, is a special type of volcano found in British Columbia, Canada. It is located near Tuya Lake in a region known for many volcanoes. South Tuya is part of a group of volcanoes called the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province.

What is a Tuya?

A tuya (say "TOO-yah") is a unique kind of volcano. It has a flat top and steep sides, looking a bit like a table. Tuyas form when lava erupts under a thick sheet of ice or a large lake. The ice or water cools the lava very quickly, giving the volcano its special shape.

How South Tuya Formed

Scientists believe South Tuya formed a long time ago, during a period called the Pleistocene Epoch. This was a time when much of the Earth was covered in glaciers and ice sheets.

The bottom part of South Tuya is made of two special types of rock:

• Hyaloclastite: This is a rock made from broken pieces of volcanic glass. It forms when hot lava explodes into cold water or ice.
• Pillow lava: This lava looks like a pile of pillows. It forms when lava erupts underwater and cools quickly into rounded shapes.

Finding these rocks at the base of South Tuya tells us an important story. It means this volcano erupted either under a huge lake or beneath a thick layer of ice. The water or ice helped shape South Tuya into the flat-topped mountain we see today.

Where is South Tuya Located?

South Tuya is in the northern part of British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Tuya Range, a group of mountains that includes other tuyas. This area is known for its beautiful natural landscapes and interesting geology.