Exile Hill

{{short description|Hill in British Columbia, Canada}} {{good article}} {{Use Canadian English|date=March 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Exile Hill | other_name = Exile Peak | image = File:Exile Hill cross section.png | image_alt = Diagram showing the interior of a cone-shaped hill and explaining its geology. | image_caption = Geological [[cross section (geology)|cross section]] of Exile Hill | mapframe = yes | mapframe-caption = Location in [[Mount Edziza Provincial Park]] | mapframe-zoom = 7 | elevation_m = 1890 | elevation_ref = {{sfn|Global Volcanism Program: Spectrum Range|loc=Synonyms & Subfeatures}} | coordinates = {{Coord|57|22|41|N|130|49|29|W|type:mountain_region:CA-BC|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = {{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}} | map= Canada British Columbia | map_alt =Relief map of British Columbia pinpointing the location of Exile Hill | map_caption = Location in British Columbia | country = [[Canada]]{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}} | region_type = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]] | region = [[British Columbia]]{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}} | district = [[Cassiar Land District]]{{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}} | part_type = [[Protected area]] | part = [[Mount Edziza Provincial Park]]{{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}} | range = [[Tahltan Highland]]{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}} | topo_maker = [[National Topographic System|NTS]] | topo_map = {{Canada NTS Map Sheet|104|G|7}}{{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}} | formed_by = [[Volcanism of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex|Volcanism]]{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=11, 15}} | type = [[Cinder cone]], [[plug dome]]{{sfn|Natural Resources Canada: Exile Hill}}{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=122}} | geology = [[Basalt]], [[trachyte]]{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=120}} | last_eruption = [[Pliocene]] age{{sfn|Natural Resources Canada: Exile Hill}} }}

'''Exile Hill''', sometimes referred to as '''Exile Peak''', is an isolated hill in [[Cassiar Land District]] of northwestern [[British Columbia]], Canada. It has an [[elevation]] of {{convert|1890|m|ft|abbr=off}} and is part of the [[Arctic Lake Plateau]] or the neighbouring [[Spectrum Range]], which are within the limits of the [[Tahltan Highland]]. Exile Hill is about {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=off}} southeast of the community of [[Telegraph Creek]] in [[Mount Edziza Provincial Park]]. Access to Exile Hill is via aircraft, which are permitted to land on [[Mess Lake]] and Little Arctic Lake to the northwest and southeast, respectively.

Exile Hill is part of the [[Mount Edziza volcanic complex]], which consists of diverse landforms such as [[shield volcano]]es, [[stratovolcano]]es, [[lava dome]]s and [[cinder cone]]s. The [[volcanic rock]]s comprising the hill are of [[Pliocene]] age and are subdivided into two [[geological formation]]s that were deposited during the [[Volcanism of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex#Second magmatic cycle|second magmatic cycle]] of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex. [[Basalt]] comprises the [[Nido Formation]] whereas the younger Spectrum Formation consists of [[trachyte]]. Nearby volcanic features include [[Outcast Hill]], [[Tadekho Hill]], [[Kuno Peak]], [[Nahta Cone]] and [[Wetalth Ridge]].

==Name and etymology== The name of the hill became official on January 2, 1980, and was adopted on the [[National Topographic System]] map 104G/15 after being submitted to the [[BC Geographical Names]] office by the [[Geological Survey of Canada]].{{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}}{{sfn|Geographical Names Data Base: Exile Hill}} ''Exile'' is a reference to the Wetalth, a group of seven people previously living in the area who were outcast or exiled from the [[Tahltan]]s.{{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}}{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=319}} [[Nahta Cone]], [[Outcast Hill]] and [[Wetalth Ridge]] are extensions of the Wetalth theme.{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=319, 320}} Canadian [[volcanologist]] [[Jack Souther]] labelled Exile Hill as ''Exile Peak'' on a [[geological map]] in his 1992 report, ''The Late Cenozoic Mount Edziza Volcanic Complex, British Columbia''.{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=94}}

==Geography== Exile Hill is located about {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of the community of [[Telegraph Creek]] in [[Cassiar Land District]] of northwestern [[British Columbia]], Canada.{{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}}{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Cassiar Land District}} It has an [[elevation]] of {{convert|1890|m|ft|abbr=on}} and is part of the [[Arctic Lake Plateau]] or the neighbouring [[Spectrum Range]], which are at the southern end of the [[Mount Edziza volcanic complex]].{{sfn|Global Volcanism Program: Spectrum Range|loc=Synonyms & Subfeatures}}{{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}}{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=32, 108}} The volcanic complex consists of a group of overlapping [[shield volcano]]es, [[stratovolcano]]es, [[lava dome]]s and [[cinder cone]]s that have formed over the last 7.5 million years.{{sfn|Souther|1990|pp=124, 125}} Exile Hill rises above the southeastern side of [[Mess Creek]] valley and is [[topographically]] higher than its surroundings.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|Souther|1990|p=108}} The [[terrain]] east of Exile Hill is relatively flat, but elsewhere it is surrounded by vegetated valleys.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}} [[Tadekho Creek]] and Nahta Creek flow through valleys north and south of Exile Hill, respectively, and are [[tributaries]] of Mess Creek.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|Souther|1988}}

Exile Hill is surrounded by a number of other landforms within the Mount Edziza volcanic complex.{{sfn|Souther|1988}} Outcast Hill, about {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the northeast, is a cinder cone on an [[interfluve]] between Tadekho Creek to the south and an unnamed tributary of Tadekho Creek to the north.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|Natural Resources Canada: Outcast Hill}} About {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of Exile Hill is [[Tadekho Hill]], a nearly circular [[volcanic cone]] about {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of Little Arctic Lake.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|Souther|1990|p=200}} [[Kuno Peak]], about {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the east, is a glaciated mountain peak at the western end of a [[ridge]] extending from the southwestern end of the Spectrum Range.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}} About {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} south and southeast of Exile Hill are Nahta Cone and Wetalth Ridge, respectively, which are on the opposite side of Nahta Creek valley.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|Souther|1988}}

Exile Hill lies in [[Mount Edziza Provincial Park]] which, with an area of {{Convert|266180|ha|acre|abbr=off}}, is one of the largest [[provincial parks in British Columbia]].{{sfn|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}}{{sfn|Global Volcanism Program: Edziza|loc=Photo Gallery}}{{sfn|BC Parks: Mount Edziza Provincial Park}} It was established in 1972 to preserve the volcanic landscape extending from [[Mount Edziza]] in the north to the Spectrum Range in the south.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|BC Parks: Mount Edziza Provincial Park}} Mount Edziza Provincial Park is in the [[Tahltan Highland]], a southeast-trending [[Upland and lowland|upland]] area extending along the western side of the [[Stikine Plateau]].{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|Holland|1976|p=49}}

==Geology== ===Background=== As a part of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex, Exile Hill lies within a broad area of volcanoes called the [[Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province]], which extends from northwestern British Columbia northwards through [[Yukon]] into easternmost [[Alaska]].{{sfn|Souther|1988}}{{sfn|Edwards|Russell|2000|pp=1280, 1281, 1283, 1284}} The dominant rocks comprising these volcanoes are [[alkali basalt]]s and [[hawaiite]]s, but [[nephelinite]], [[basanite]] and [[peralkaline rock|peralkaline]]{{efn|''Peralkaline rocks'' are magmatic rocks that have a higher ratio of sodium and potassium to aluminum.{{sfn|McGraw Hill|2003|p=253}}}} [[phonolite]], [[trachyte]] and [[comendite]] are locally abundant. These rocks were deposited by volcanic eruptions from 20 million years ago to as recently as a few hundred years ago. Volcanism in the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province is thought to be due to [[rift]]ing of the [[North American Cordillera]], driven by changes in relative [[plate tectonics|plate motion]] between the [[North American Plate|North American]] and [[Pacific Plate|Pacific]] plates.{{sfn|Edwards|Russell|2000|p=1280}}

===Stratigraphy=== [[File:Nido Formation.png|thumb|right|alt=Diagram showing the locations of rock outcrops, prehistoric lakes and the inferred maximum extent of a geological formation.|[[Paleogeological]] map of the [[Nido Formation]] showing the location of Exile Hill at the end of [[Volcanism of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex#Nido eruptive period|Nido time]]]] Exile Hill consists of [[Pliocene]] [[volcanic rock]]s that comprise two [[geological formation]]s, both of which were deposited by volcanic eruptions during the [[Volcanism of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex#Second magmatic cycle|second magmatic cycle]] of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex.{{sfn|Souther|1988}}{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=94, 114, 267}} The oldest geological formation, the 4.4-million-year-old [[Nido Formation]], is subdivided into two [[geological member]]s; the Kounugu Member is the main geological member at Exile Hill.{{sfn|Souther|1988}}{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=267}} [[Alkali basalt]], hawaiite and [[picrite]] are the main rocks comprising the Kounugu Member, which erupted from at least four separate eruptive centres: Swarm Peak, Vanished Peak, Lost Peak and Exile Hill.{{sfn|Souther|1988}}{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=104}} The youngest geological formation, the 3.1-million-year-old Spectrum Formation, comprises mostly [[comendite]], [[pantellerite]] and pantelleritic [[trachyte]] that erupted from the [[Spectrum Dome]] and much smaller [[parasitic cone|satellitic centres]] such as Exile Hill.{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=120}}{{sfn|Souther|1988}} Exile Hill is the only eruptive centre of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex known to have been active during both the [[Volcanism of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex#Nido eruptive period|Nido]] and [[Volcanism of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex#Spectrum eruptive period|Spectrum]] eruptive periods, but the amount of lava erupted from it remains unknown.{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=8–15, 122}}

====Nido Formation==== The formation of Exile Hill began with the eruption of a small [[cinder cone]] on the extreme western edge of the surrounding plateau.{{sfn|Natural Resources Canada: Exile Hill}}{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=11}} This cone was almost completely inundated by younger lava flows from the south and east, but thick deposits of [[volcanic bomb|bombs]] and agglutinated [[Volcanic spatter|spatter]] exposed on the southeastern flank of Exile Hill are probably remnants of this early cone.{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=11, 108}} A series of [[basalt]]ic lava flows up to {{convert|180|m|ft|abbr=on}} thick, believed to have originated from a vent adjacent to Exile Hill, are exposed in isolated [[butte]]s and in cliffs along the upper Mess Creek valley.{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=108}}

Basaltic lava flows of Exile Hill are [[geomorphologically]] and compositionally more diverse than those from the Swarm Peak and Vanished Peak eruptive centres. The lowermost basaltic lava flow forming the base of Exile Hill is more than {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}} thick whereas the uppermost rubbly basaltic lava flows are only a few metres in thickness. Characterizing the lowermost basaltic lava flows are long, curving columns that occur in sheath-like clusters. In contrast, the upper basaltic lava flows contain random, blocky [[columnar jointing]] or stout, spheroidally weathered columns.{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=108}}

Exile Hill basalt is overlain by a thick layer of gravel that consists mainly of pebbles and [[cobble (geology)|cobblestones]]. The pebbles and cobblestones consist of [[rhyolite]] and [[obsidian]], which probably originated from the Spectrum Dome to the east. Jack Souther mapped the gravel as part of the Nido Formation in 1992.{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=122}}

====Spectrum Formation==== [[File:Spectrum Formation.png|thumb|right|alt=Diagram showing the locations of rock outcrops and the inferred maximum extent of a geological formation.|Paleogeological map of the Spectrum Formation showing the location of Exile Hill at the end of the [[Volcanism of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex#Spectrum eruptive period|Spectrum eruptive period]]]] The western side of Exile Hill contains a small [[plug dome]] of Spectrum Formation trachyte about {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} high that was formed during at least three separate lava eruptions.{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=120, 122}} This {{convert|213|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide dome contains prominent vertical flow layering and is surrounded by [[breccia]] that protrudes through the Nido Formation basalt.{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=120, 122}} The breccia was deposited by an [[explosive eruption]] and consists of immensely altered, rusty trachyte [[clast]]s{{efn|''Clasts'' are grains or fragments of rock broken off other rocks by [[physical weathering]].{{sfn|McGraw Hill|2003|p=71}}}} in a yellowish-brown [[matrix (geology)|groundmass]] of much smaller breccia particles.{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=120}} [[Yeda Peak]] about {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Exile Hill was the site of a similar but much larger eruption near the end of the Spectrum eruptive period.{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=14, 15}}

A roughly {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} thick series of trachyte lava flows caps the summit of Exile Hill and overlies the thick layer of gravel capping the Nido Formation basalt. The trachyte is fine grained, pantelleritic in composition and contains {{convert|1|–|2|mm|in|abbr=on}} wide [[phenocryst]]s of [[feldspar]]. [[Interbedding|Interlayering]] these lava flows are [[bed (geology)|beds]] of [[pyroclastic rock|pyroclastic]] material containing bombs, spatter and light-coloured trachyte [[volcanic block|blocks]] that have been [[Agglutinate (geology)|fused together]].{{sfn|Souther|1992|p=122}}

Exposed on the southwestern side of Exile Hill is a small porous green trachyte [[intrusion]] underlying the breccia. It is irregular in mass and contains subhorizontal flow layering, suggesting that this [[subvolcanic]] intrusion most likely formed when trachytic [[magma]] moved laterally from the dome conduit and crystallized into the surrounding Nido Formation basalt.{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=120, 122}}

===Basement=== Exile Hill is underlain by [[metasedimentary rock]]s of the [[Stikinia]] [[terrane]], a [[Paleozoic]] and [[Mesozoic]] [[suite (geology)|suite]] of [[volcanic rock|volcanic]] and [[sedimentary rock|sedimentary]] rocks that [[accretion (geology)|accreted]]{{efn|''Accretion'' is the process by which [[terrane]]s are added to a continent, resulting in continental growth.{{sfn|McGraw Hill|2003|p=3}}}} to the [[continental margin]] of North America during the [[Jurassic]].{{sfn|Souther|1988}}{{sfn|Souther|1992|pp=39, 122}}{{sfn|Edwards|Russell|2000|pp=1281, 1287}} Most of these rocks around the base of Exile Hill are covered with [[felsenmeer]], [[till]], glacial outwash, [[fluvial]] outwash or [[solifluction]] deposits. The northwestern side of Exile Hill contains active [[talus cone]]s whereas the southwestern and northeastern sides of the hill contain landslide deposits which extend onto the [[basement (geology)|basement]] rocks.{{sfn|Souther|1988}}

==Accessibility== As of 2023, Alpine Lakes Air and BC Yukon Air are the only air charter companies permitted to provide access to this area via aircraft.{{sfn|BC Parks: Mount Edziza Provincial Park}} Private aircraft are also permitted to land in the area, but a letter of authorization from the [[BC Parks]] Stikine Senior Park Ranger is required to land on [[Mess Lake]] and Little Arctic Lake, which are the closest lakes of significant size to Exile Hill.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}{{sfn|BC Parks: Mount Edziza Provincial Park}} These two lakes are about {{convert|10|and|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest and southeast of Exile Hill, respectively.{{sfn|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}

==See also== {{Portal|Volcanoes|Mountains}} *[[List of Northern Cordilleran volcanoes]] *[[List of volcanoes in Canada]] *[[List of cinder cones]] *[[List of lava domes]]

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

===Sources=== {{refbegin|30em}} *{{cite map|url=https://volcano.si.edu/maps/GVAlaskaCanada/G910509-006.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502071600/https://volcano.si.edu/maps/GVAlaskaCanada/G910509-006.jpg|title=Telegraph Creek, Cassiar Land District, British Columbia|scale=1:250,000|series=104 G|map=A 502|edition=3|type=Topographic map|publisher=[[Department of Energy, Mines and Resources]]|year=1989|language=en,fr|archive-date=May 2, 2021|ref={{harvid|Department of Energy, Mines and Resources|1989}}}} *{{cite bcgnis|id=41229|name=Cassiar Land District|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627144631/http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/41229.html|archive-date=June 27, 2018|ref={{harvid|BC Geographical Names: Cassiar Land District}}}} *{{cite dictionary|title=Dictionary of Geology and Mineralogy|year=2003|publisher=[[McGraw Hill]]|edition=2nd|isbn=0-07-141044-9|ref={{harvid|McGraw Hill|2003}}}} *{{cite journal|title=Distribution, Nature, and Origin of Neogene–Quaternary Magmatism in the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province, Canada|last1=Edwards|first1=Benjamin R.|last2=Russell|first2=James K.|journal=[[Geological Society of America Bulletin]]|publisher=[[Geological Society of America]]|pages=1280–1295|volume=112|issue=8|year=2000|issn=0016-7606|doi=10.1130/0016-7606(2000)112<1280:dnaoon>2.0.co;2|bibcode=2000GSAB..112.1280E}} *{{cite gvp|vn=320060|title=Edziza|archive-date=January 14, 2025|ref={{harvid|Global Volcanism Program: Edziza}}}} *{{cite bcgnis|id=11363|name=Exile Hill|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126160041/https://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/11363.html|archive-date=January 26, 2025|ref={{harvid|BC Geographical Names: Exile Hill}}}} *{{cite web|title=Exile Hill|work=Catalogue of Canadian Volcanoes|publisher=[[Natural Resources Canada]]|date=March 10, 2009|url=http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/volcanoes/cat/volcano_e.php?id=svb_exh_103|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604192310/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/volcanoes/cat/volcano_e.php?id=svb_exh_103|ref={{harvid|Natural Resources Canada: Exile Hill}}}} *{{cite cgndb|id=JAUEE|title=Exile Hill|access-date=August 4, 2025|ref={{harvid|Geographical Names Data Base: Exile Hill}}}} *{{cite report|last=Holland|first=Stuart S.|url=http://cmscontent.nrs.gov.bc.ca/geoscience/PublicationCatalogue/Bulletin/BCGS_B048.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114024907/http://cmscontent.nrs.gov.bc.ca/geoscience/PublicationCatalogue/Bulletin/BCGS_B048.pdf|archive-date=November 14, 2018|title=Landforms of British Columbia: A Physiographic Outline|publisher=[[Government of British Columbia]]|volume=48|year=1976|asin=B0006EB676|oclc=601782234}} *{{cite web|url=https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/mt_edziza/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123120553/https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/mt_edziza/|archive-date=January 23, 2023|title=Mount Edziza Provincial Park|publisher=[[BC Parks]]|ref={{harvid|BC Parks: Mount Edziza Provincial Park}}}} *{{cite web|title=Outcast Hill|work=Catalogue of Canadian Volcanoes|publisher=[[Natural Resources Canada]]|date=2009-03-10|url=http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/volcanoes/cat/volcano_e.php?id=svb_ohl_098|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604155543/http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/volcanoes/cat/volcano_e.php?id=svb_ohl_098|archive-date=June 4, 2011|ref={{harvid|Natural Resources Canada: Outcast Hill}}}} *{{cite map|last1=Souther|first1=J. G.|author-link1=Jack Souther|title=Geology, Mount Edziza Volcanic Complex, British Columbia|map=1623A|scale=1:50,000|type=[[Geological map]]|cartography=M. Sigouin, [[Geological Survey of Canada]]|publisher=[[Energy, Mines and Resources Canada]]|year=1988|language=en|doi=10.4095/133498|doi-access=free}} *{{cite report |last1=Souther|first1=J. G.|author-link1=Jack Souther|title=The Late Cenozoic Mount Edziza Volcanic Complex, British Columbia|work=[[Geological Survey of Canada]]|publisher=Canada Communication Group|series=Memoir 420|year=1992|isbn=0-660-14407-7|doi=10.4095/133497|doi-access=free}} *{{cite book|editor-last1=Wood|editor-first1=Charles A.|editor-last2=Kienle|editor-first2=Jürgen|last1=Souther|first1=J. G.|author-link1=Jack Souther|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eyDRib-FJh4C|title=Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada|year=1990|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|isbn=0-521-43811-X}} *{{cite gvp|vn=320070|title=Spectrum Range|archive-date=December 8, 2024|ref={{harvid|Global Volcanism Program: Spectrum Range}}}} {{refend}}

==External links== *{{cite peakbagger|pid=51392|name=Exile Hill, British Columbia}}

[[Category:Cinder cones of British Columbia]] [[Category:Lava domes of British Columbia]] [[Category:Volcanoes of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex]] [[Category:Pliocene volcanoes]] [[Category:One-thousanders of British Columbia]] [[Category:Arctic Lake Plateau]] [[Category:Spectrum Range]]