Vulcan's Thumb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vulcan's Thumb |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,290 m (7,510 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Parent range | Pacific Ranges |
| Topo map | NTS 92J/03 |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Pleistocene |
| Mountain type | Pinnacle |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Canadian Cascade Arc Garibaldi Volcanic Belt |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | None |
The Vulcan's Thumb is a tall, pointed rock formation in the Pacific Ranges of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It looks like a giant thumb pointing upwards! This amazing rock is the biggest of several thin, pointy rocks that stick out from the sharp top ridge of Pyroclastic Peak. Pyroclastic Peak is part of a larger mountain area called the Mount Cayley massif.
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What is Vulcan's Thumb?
The Vulcan's Thumb is a type of rock formation known as a rock pinnacle. Imagine a very tall, narrow tower made of rock. That's a pinnacle! It stands out because it's much taller and thinner than the mountains around it.
Where is it located?
This unique rock is found in the Pacific Ranges, which are part of the larger Coast Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. It's located in a wild, beautiful area that is popular for hiking and exploring. The exact spot is near the city of Whistler.
How Was Vulcan's Thumb Formed?
The Vulcan's Thumb was created by powerful volcanic activity a very long time ago. It's part of a larger volcanic structure called the Mount Cayley massif. This whole area was built up over many years by different volcanic eruptions.
The Mount Cayley Volcano
The Mount Cayley massif, which includes Vulcan's Thumb, was formed in three main stages of eruptions. The second of these stages is actually named after the Vulcan's Thumb itself! This shows how important this rock formation is to understanding the area's volcanic past. These eruptions happened during a time called the Pleistocene epoch. This was a period in Earth's history that started about 2.6 million years ago and ended about 11,700 years ago.
What is a Volcanic Belt?
The Vulcan's Thumb is part of two important volcanic areas: the Canadian Cascade Arc and the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt. A volcanic belt is like a long chain of volcanoes. The Canadian Cascade Arc is a line of volcanoes that stretches from British Columbia down into the United States. The Garibaldi Volcanic Belt is a part of this arc, located specifically in southwestern British Columbia. These belts show where the Earth's plates are moving, causing magma to rise and create volcanoes.
Why is it Called Vulcan's Thumb?
The name "Vulcan's Thumb" likely comes from two things. First, its shape clearly resembles a giant thumb sticking up from the ground. Second, "Vulcan" is the name of the Roman god of fire, volcanoes, and metalworking. Since this rock formation was created by volcanic activity, the name "Vulcan's Thumb" perfectly describes both its look and its fiery origin!
