Tuya Range facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tuya Range |
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Map of some features in the Tuya Volcanic Field, which is part of the Tuya Range
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Ash Mountain |
| Elevation | 2,115 m (6,939 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Parent range | Stikine Ranges |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Volcanism |
| Age of rock | Pleistocene |
| Type of rock | Tuyas |
The Tuya Range is a group of mountains located in the far northern part of British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the larger Stikine Ranges and Cassiar Mountains. This area is very close to the border with the Yukon Territory. The nearest major town is Watson Lake, Yukon, which is to the southwest.
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What is the Tuya Range?
The Tuya Range is known for its unique landforms called tuyas. A tuya is a special type of volcano that erupts under a glacier or ice sheet. When the lava cools against the ice, it forms a flat-topped, steep-sided mountain. These mountains look a bit like tables.
Where is the Tuya Range located?
This mountain range is in a remote part of British Columbia. Rivers and lakes surround it. For example, the Tuya Lake is on its southern side. The Jennings River forms the northern edge of the range.
The Tuya Range is also home to a special geographical point. This point is where the water from rainfall or melting snow can flow into three different major river systems: the Mackenzie River, the Stikine River, and the Yukon River. This is called a "triple divide."
Tallest Peaks and Volcanic Features
The highest point in the Tuya Range is Ash Mountain. It stands about 2,115 meters (6,939 feet) tall. Ash Mountain is also a tuya.
Other notable tuyas in the range include Tuya Butte, Mathews Tuya, Caribou Tuya, and South Tuya. All these mountains are part of the larger Tuya Volcanic Field. This field includes many other volcanic features found north and west of the range.
Tuya Butte: A Famous Volcano
Tuya Butte is about 1,685 meters (5,528 feet) high. It is very important in geology. This was the first tuya ever studied and described by scientists. Because of this, the name "tuya" became the standard word used by volcanologists (scientists who study volcanoes) all over the world to describe these unique volcanic mountains.
Protecting the Landscape
To protect this amazing and unusual landscape, the Tuya Mountains Provincial Park was created. This park helps to preserve the tuyas and the surrounding natural environment. The park is located north of Tuya Lake and south of the Jennings River, close to the Yukon border.
Plants in the Tuya Range
One common tree found in this area is the black spruce. This tree species is near the western edge of where it typically grows. It is an important part of the forest ecosystem in the Tuya Range.
