Watts Point volcanic centre
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| Watts Point volcanic centre | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | ~ 240 m (800 ft) |
| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Range | Garibaldi Ranges |
| Coordinates | |
| Topo map | NTS 92G/11 Squamish |
| Type | Subglacial mound |
| Age of rock | ~ 90,000–130,000 yrs |
| Last eruption | ~ 90,000 yrs |
The Watts Point volcanic centre is a small outcrop of volcanic rock in British Columbia, Canada, located on the eastern shore of Howe Sound about 10 km (6 mi) south of Squamish and 40 km (25 mi) north of Vancouver. It is the southernmost volcanic center in the Garibaldi segment of the Cascade Volcanic Belt, and the latest research indicates that it is most likely a subglacial volcano. It comprises a continuous mass of sparsely porphyritic highly jointed dacitic lava overlying the mid-Cretaceous Coast Plutonic complex and overlain locally by clay and of glacial till.
The volcanic outcrop at Watts Point extends from below the present sea level up the side of a steep slope over 240 m (800 ft). The outcrop is less than 1 km (0.6 mi) long, with an area of about 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) and a eruptive volume of roughly 0.02 km³ (0.005 mi³). The location is heavily forested, and the BC Rail mainline passes through the lower portion of the outcrop about 40 m (130 ft) above sea level. Two railroad track ballast quarries, one near the middle and the other near the upper edge, provide the best exposure of the interior of the lava mass.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Bye, A.; Edwards, B. R. & Hickson, C. J. (2000). "Preliminary field, petrographic and geochemical analysis of possible subglacial, dacitic volcanism at the Watts Point volcanic centre, southwestern British Columbia". Current Research, Part A; Geological Survey of Canada 2000-A20: 1-9.
- Volcano World: Watts Point, SW British Columbia. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- WikiSatellite view at WikiMapia
- Street map from Mapquest or Google Maps
- Satellite image from Google Maps
- Topographical map from Maptech
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