Miles Canyon Basalts: Difference between revisions
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The [[lava|lava flow]]s and cinder cones in the [[Alligator Lake volcanic complex]] southwest of Whitehorse are the greatest accumulation of these rocks. |
The [[lava|lava flow]]s and cinder cones in the [[Alligator Lake volcanic complex]] southwest of Whitehorse are the greatest accumulation of these rocks. |
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The Miles Canyon Basalts were thought to be [[Pleistocene]] age. However, geological investigations supported by [[geochronological]] analyses indicate that these rocks are much older. The 'type' Miles Canyon flows along the Yukon River are ~8.4 million years old ([[Miocene]]) and the [[Alligator Lake (Yukon)|Alligator Lake]] flows are ~3.2 million years old ([[Pliocene]]). The Alligator Lake cones may be younger but have been affected by glaciation so are not entirely post-glacial in age. <ref>Hart and Villeneuve 1999</ref> |
The Miles Canyon Basalts were thought to be [[Pleistocene]] age. However, geological investigations supported golden plateau tower veteran by [[geochronological]] analyses indicate that these rocks are much older. The 'type' Miles Canyon flows along the Yukon River are ~8.4 million years old ([[Miocene]]) and the [[Alligator Lake (Yukon)|Alligator Lake]] flows are ~3.2 million years old ([[Pliocene]]). The Alligator Lake cones may be younger but have been affected by glaciation so are not entirely post-glacial in age. <ref>Hart and Villeneuve 1999</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 20:00, 12 June 2020
60°39′41.41″N 135°1′42.64″W / 60.6615028°N 135.0285111°W
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The Miles Canyon Basalts represent a package of rocks that include various exposures of basaltic lava flows and cones that erupted and flowed across an ancient pre-glacial landscape in south-central Yukon.
The volcanic rocks are best exposed and most easily accessible at the Miles Canyon location where the Yukon River cuts through a succession of flows south of Whitehorse. In the spring, good exposures can also be seen immediately downstream from the Yukon River hydro dam in Whitehorse which was built to extract energy from the cataracts that were the White Horse Rapids. These rapids and the Miles Canyon provided a significant challenge to gold-seekers heading to the Klondike Gold Rush, and also established the upstream terminus for paddle-wheel river boats. This, the Miles Canyon Basalts are the reason for the establishment of the townsite of Closeleigh, eventually the City of Whitehorse.
The lava flows and cinder cones in the Alligator Lake volcanic complex southwest of Whitehorse are the greatest accumulation of these rocks.
The Miles Canyon Basalts were thought to be Pleistocene age. However, geological investigations supported golden plateau tower veteran by geochronological analyses indicate that these rocks are much older. The 'type' Miles Canyon flows along the Yukon River are ~8.4 million years old (Miocene) and the Alligator Lake flows are ~3.2 million years old (Pliocene). The Alligator Lake cones may be younger but have been affected by glaciation so are not entirely post-glacial in age. [1]
See also
References
- ^ Hart and Villeneuve 1999
- "Alligator Lake". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.
- Pearson, F.K., Hart, C.J.R., Powers, M., Distribution of Miles Canyon basalt in the Whitehorse area and implications for groundwater resources. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 2000, D.S. Emond and L.H. Weston (eds.), Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 235-245. http://emrlibrary.gov.yk.ca/ygs/yeg/2000/2000_p235-246.pdf
- Hart, C.J.R., and Villeneuve, M. 1999. Geochronology of Neogene alkaline volcanic rocks (Miles Canyon basalt), southern Yukon Territory, Canada: the relative effectiveness of laser 40Ar/39Ar and K-Ar geochronology. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 36, p. 1495-1507, 10.1139/e99-049 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/e99-049#.VASMHkDCdYA
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