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Tuya volcanic field facts for kids

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Tuya volcanic field
Tuya Volcanic Field.jpg
Map of some features in the Tuya Volcanic Field
Highest point
Elevation 2,123 m (6,965 ft)
Geography
Location British Columbia, Canada
Geology
Age of rock Quaternary
Mountain type Volcanic field
Volcanic arc/belt Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province
Last eruption Holocene

The Tuya volcanic field is a special area in northern British Columbia, Canada. It's close to the Yukon Territory border. This field is full of unique volcanoes called tuyas.

Tuyas are volcanoes that erupted under thick glaciers or ice sheets. When the hot lava hit the ice, it cooled quickly. This formed volcanoes with flat tops and steep, flat sides, looking a bit like a table. Most of these tuyas are found in the Tuya Range. Some are also in the Kawdy Plateau.

Besides tuyas, you can find other types of volcanoes here. There are small shield volcanoes, which have gentle slopes like a warrior's shield. There are also lapilli cones, which are small hills made of volcanic rock fragments. You can also see old lava flows that spread out after eruptions.

Most of the volcanoes in this field formed when glaciers covered the land. However, two areas, Gabrielse Cone and the West Tuya lava field, formed after the glaciers melted away.

What is a Volcanic Field?

A volcanic field is a region on Earth's surface with many small volcanoes. These volcanoes might have erupted at different times. They often share the same source of magma deep underground. The Tuya volcanic field is part of a larger chain of volcanoes. This chain is called the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province.

Types of Volcanoes at Tuya

The Tuya volcanic field has several interesting types of volcanoes.

Tuya Volcanoes

As mentioned, tuyas are the most famous type here. They are sometimes called "table mountains" because of their shape. They form when lava erupts beneath a glacier or ice sheet. The ice traps the lava, making it cool in a unique way.

Shield Volcanoes

Some volcanoes in the Tuya field are shield volcanoes. These volcanoes are built up by many layers of fluid lava flows. The lava flows easily, creating a wide, gently sloping cone. They don't usually have explosive eruptions.

Lapilli Cones

You can also find lapilli cones. Lapilli are small, pea-sized volcanic rocks. These cones form when small pieces of lava and ash are thrown out during an eruption. They build up around the vent, creating a cone-shaped hill.

Volcanoes in the Field

The Tuya volcanic field is home to many individual volcanoes. Each one has its own unique features. Some of the volcanoes found here include:

Images for kids

  • Tuya Volcanic Field

    Map of some features in the Tuya Volcanic Field

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