About Alligator Lake
Alligator Lake is a volcanic field rising to 2,217 meters (7,274 feet) in Canada's North America Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Alligator Lake is located in Canada, within the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 60.42° N, 135.42° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. At 2,217 meters above sea level, Alligator Lake rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Alligator Lake is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Alligator Lake tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Canada more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
A group of basaltic cones and lava flows (the Miles Canyon basalts) in south-central Yukon near the capital city of Whitehorse was considered to be of Pleistocene age (Wheeler, 1961). The upper part of the Alligator Lake volcanic complex, consisting of two well-preserved cinder cones capping a small shield volcano, probably post-dates local Holocene glaciation (Eiche et al., 1987). Lava flows from both cones traveled to the N and were erupted simultaneously. Their compositions range from alkali olivine basalt to basanitic. Flows from the NE cone are the largest, extending 6 km from the cone and expanding to a width of 10 km at the terminus. Portions of the flows contain spinel lherzolite and granitoid xenoliths and megacrysts of olivine, pyroxene, and spinel.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Alligator Lake.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Alligator Lake
Is Alligator Lake an active volcano?+
Alligator Lake is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Alligator Lake?+
Alligator Lake has a summit elevation of 2,217 meters (7,274 feet) above sea level. At 2,217 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Alligator Lake?+
Alligator Lake is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Alligator Lake located?+
Alligator Lake is located in Canada, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 60.420° latitude, -135.420° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Alligator Lake?+
Alligator Lake can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Canada may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
