About Milbanke Sound Group
Milbanke Sound Group is a pyroclastic cone(s) rising to 233 meters (764 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
Milbanke Sound Group is located in Canada, within the Queen Charlotte Volcano Group of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 52.50° N, 128.72° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At just 233 meters above sea level, Milbanke Sound Group is a relatively low-elevation volcanic feature. Despite its modest height, it remains an active geological formation with the same underlying magmatic processes as its taller counterparts. 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
Milbanke Sound Group 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 Milbanke Sound Group 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
Swindle, Lake, and Lady Douglas Islands in the Milbanke Sound area of the Fiord Ranges in west-central British Columbia contain cinder cones of Holocene age. Kitasu Hill on the western side of Swindle Island is a young basaltic cone that produced lava flows that extend to the north. Other postglacial vents identified by Dolmage (1921, 1924) are correlated by lithology only and may be as old as Tertiary (Baer, 1973; Holland, 1976). Basaltic tuff breccias on Lake Island and Lady Douglas Island originated from Helmet Peak on Lady Island. Basaltic lava flows from Price and Dufferin Islands overlie adjacent beach deposits (Souther; in Wood and Kienle, 1990).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Milbanke Sound Group.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Milbanke Sound Group
Is Milbanke Sound Group an active volcano?+
Milbanke Sound Group 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 Milbanke Sound Group?+
Milbanke Sound Group has a summit elevation of 233 meters (764 feet) above sea level. At 233 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Milbanke Sound Group?+
Milbanke Sound Group is classified as a Pyroclastic cone(s). Pyroclastic cones (or cinder cones) are small, steep-sided volcanic cones built from fragments of lava blasted into the air. They are the simplest type of volcano and often form in groups.
Where is Milbanke Sound Group located?+
Milbanke Sound Group is located in Canada, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Queen Charlotte Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are 52.498° latitude, -128.723° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Milbanke Sound Group?+
Milbanke Sound Group 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.
