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Garibaldi

Stratovolcano in Canada

Last Eruption: -8060

Key Facts

Elevation

2,678 m (8,786 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

49.850°, -123.000°

Region

Garibaldi Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Dacite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Mount Garibaldi at the head of Howe Sound north of Vancouver is a Pleistocene dacitic stratovolcano capped by a lava dome complex. An initial period of volcanism 0. 51-0.

22 million years ago was followed after a period of quiescence by construction of a conical plug dome and breccia pile at the south summit, Atwell Peak. Retreat of the ice cap left the W flank unsupported, and it collapsed in a series of landslides, exposing the core of the volcano. Lava flows from Dalton Dome north of Atwell Peak subsequently flowed down the scarp.

Subglacial flank centers such as Eanastick (Enostuck) Meadow, Glacier Pike, and Paul Ridge were also formed during the late Pleistocene. The final activity formed the Opal Cone on the SE flank and the lengthy Ring Creek lava flow, which filled a glaciated valley on the S flank during the early Holocene (Mathews, 1958; Brooks and Friele, 1992).

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate
Infrastructure RiskModerate
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Dacite
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Holocene
Evidence
Eruption Dated

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity10,086 years agoHistoricalHistorically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Normal
No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in North America Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity
The North America Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

  • Smithsonian ID: 320200
  • Evidence: Eruption Dated
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Mount Garibaldi, rising above Garibaldi Lake to the north, is a largely Pleistocene stratovolcano with a summit lava dome complex. The volcano was partially constructed over the Cordilleran ice sheet and contains many ice-contact features. Its final eruptions during the early Holocene included lava flows that mantled the western landside scarp and a massive lava flow from Opal Cone, a SE flank vent, that traveled 20 km to the south and west.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1983 (Smithsonian Institution).

Basic Information

This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.