Anahim Volcanic Belt

The Anahim Volcanic Belt is a 330-kilometer west-east chain of volcanoes and igneous features across British Columbia that has been active for roughly 15 million years. Unlike other young volcanic regions in the province, it cuts across the Canadian Cordillera’s main structural grain. Its western segment preserves deeply eroded ancient dike swarms and intrusions, while the central segment includes major shield volcanoes and volcanic fields such as the Rainbow, Ilgachuz, and Itcha ranges. Activity in the last million years has been smaller and more localized, with the most recent eruption near Nazko 7,200 years ago. Earthquakes recorded there in 2007–2008 show the system remains active at depth.

British Columbia · Canada