About Tseax River Cone
Tseax River Cone is a pyroclastic cone rising to 612 meters (2,008 feet) in Canada's North America Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1690 CE. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Tseax River Cone is located in Canada, within the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 55.11° N, 128.90° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. With a summit elevation of 612 meters above sea level, Tseax River Cone is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a minor (basaltic), which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Tseax River Cone 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 Tseax River Cone 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.
Eruption History Summary
Tseax River Cone has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 1330 CE to 1690 CE. These eruptions span roughly 360 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
The basaltic Tseax River cinder cones (Aiyansh volcano) at the southern end of the Stikine volcanic belt have been the site of some of the youngest volcanic eruptions in Canada. Nested cinder cones lying along a tributary of the Nass River were the source of a lava flow that traveled into the Tseax River, damming it and forming Lava Lake. The flow subsequently traveled 11 km N to the Nass River, where it filled the flat valley floor for an additional 10 km. Native legends of the Nisga'a People tell of a prolonged period of disruption by the volcano, including the destruction of their village on the Nass River and the death of some people from "poison smoke." The vent was active at least twice (625 and 220 radiocarbon years ago) and other remnants of lava flows exist in the area, which was designated the Nisga'a Memorial Lava Beds Provincial Park in 1993 (Hickson and Edwards, 2001).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1690 | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 1330 | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tseax River Cone
Is Tseax River Cone an active volcano?+
Tseax River Cone is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1690 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Tseax River Cone last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Tseax River Cone occurred in 1690 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Tseax River Cone has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Tseax River Cone?+
Tseax River Cone has a summit elevation of 612 meters (2,008 feet) above sea level. At 612 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Tseax River Cone?+
Tseax River Cone is classified as a Pyroclastic cone. Pyroclastic cone volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Tseax River Cone located?+
Tseax River Cone is located in Canada, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 55.111° latitude, -128.899° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tseax River Cone?+
Tseax River Cone 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.
