Lava Fork Valley
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| Lava Fork Valley | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 914 metres (2,999 feet) |
| Location | British Columbia, Canada |
| Range | Boundary Ranges (Coast Mountains) |
| Coordinates | |
| Type | Basaltic lava flows |
| Age of rock | Historic |
| Last eruption | 150 BP |
Lava Fork Valley is a valley in the Iskut volcanic field in northern British Columbia, Canada and is probably the youngest volcanic area in Canada. Lava flows traveled south 5 km where they crossed the border into Alaska and dammed the Blue River, a short tributary of the Unuk River flowing from the southeast flank of Mount Lewis Cass (Boundary Peak 47). In doing so it formed several small lakes. The lava flows are approximately 22 km long. The lava flows still have the original features and pits formed when the overlying solidified lava collapsed into underlying lava tubes and tree molds. The youngest of these lava flows could be only 150 years old and the oldest eruption is possibly 350 years old.
Lava Fork Valley is one of the top 10 canadian volcanic areas with recent seismic activity, the others include: Castle Rock, Mount Edziza, Mount Cayley, Hoodoo Mountain, Crow Lagoon, Mount Silverthrone, Mount Meager, Wells Gray-Clearwater Volcanic Field and Mount Garibaldi.
[edit] Hazards of Lava Fork Valley
Because the Lava Fork Valley is located in the remote Iskut region, it involves passive lava flows, future eruptions from Lava Fork Valley pose little threat. Damming of rivers and other local water courses may disrupt fish habitat. Clouds of volcanic ash could threaten lower-flying aircraft along the northern coastal corridor between Vancouver and Alaska. Lava Fork Valley is not being seismically monitored to warn of any future activity.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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