Williams Cone facts for kids

Williams Cone is a small, cone-shaped volcano in British Columbia, Canada. It is located about 36 kilometers (22 miles) east of Telegraph Creek. This volcano is part of a larger group of volcanoes called the Mount Edziza volcanic complex. Williams Cone is known as a "cinder cone" because of how it formed. Its last eruption happened around 1,350 years ago, at the same time as other nearby volcanoes like the Eve Cone.

About Williams Cone

What is a Cinder Cone?

A cinder cone is a simple type of volcano. It is shaped like a cone and is built from small pieces of volcanic rock and ash. These pieces are called "cinders." When a cinder cone erupts, the cinders shoot into the air. They then fall back down around the volcanic vent, building up the cone shape. Williams Cone is a good example of this type of volcano. It is also a "satellite cone," meaning it is a smaller volcano located near a much larger one, in this case, Mount Edziza.

Location and Surroundings

Williams Cone is found in the northern part of British Columbia, Canada. It sits just off the northern edge of the Tencho Icefield. This area is part of the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province. This province is a large region with many volcanoes. Williams Cone is one of several volcanoes that formed after the last ice age in the Mount Edziza volcanic complex.

Volcanic History

Williams Cone is considered a young volcano. It formed during a time called the Holocene epoch. This is the current geological period, which started about 11,700 years ago. The last time Williams Cone erupted was about 1,350 years ago. This date is also given as 600 CE. Scientists figure out these dates using a method called Radiocarbon dating. This method measures how much carbon-14 is left in old materials. Williams Cone erupted around the same time as other nearby volcanoes, like the well-preserved Eve Cone.