Spectrum Range

CountryCanadaProvinceBritish ColumbiaParent rangeTahltan Highland (southwestern Stikine Plateau)GeologyOrogenyVolcanismAge of rockPliocene-to-HoloceneType of rockShield volcano

The Spectrum Range, formerly called the Spectrum Mountains and the Rainbow Mountains, is a subrange of the Tahltan Highland in the Stikine Country of northwestern British Columbia, 20 km west of the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, south of Mount Edziza and north of the Arctic Lake Plateau. The Spectrum Range falls within Mount Edziza Provincial Park. The range is lightly glaciated, as compared to the other ranges to the west. It is accessible only by foot or via helicopter; there are no roads to the range.^[1]

Geology

Like the Rainbow and Itcha–Ilgachuz Ranges at the western end of the Chilcotin Plateau farther south, the range's name derives from the brilliant colours that are symptomatic from heavy mineralization comprising the material forming the range.^[1]

The Spectrum Range is one of four large stratovolcanoes that make up the Mount Edziza volcanic complex. A predominantly lava dome overlies a basal shield volcano. The range is Pliocene in age and on its southwestern flank contains Pleistocene subglacial and subaerial cones and its northwest and southwest sides contain Holocene pyroclastic cones and lava flows. The youngest feature in the volcanic complex could be The Ash Pit.

Mountains

• Artifact Ridge
• Kitsu Peak
• Kounugu Mountain
• Kuno Peak
• Little Iskut
• Obsidian Ridge
• Spectrum Dome
• Yagi Ridge
• Yeda Peak

See also

• List of volcanoes in Canada
• List of Northern Cordilleran volcanoes
• List of mountain ranges
• Volcanism of Canada
• Volcanism of Western Canada
• Rainbow Range (Chilcotin Plateau) (aka Rainbow Mountains)

References

• "Spectrum Range". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.

External links

• Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia
• "Spectrum Range". BC Geographical Names.

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  Spectrum Range colours from heavy mineralization