Canada’s terrain hides a surprising volcanic history, from coastal ranges and interior plateaus to stretches of the North. While many peaks look like ordinary mountains, volcanic fields and vents mark where magma once reached the surface, shaping local landscapes and ecosystems.
There are 20 Volcanoes in Canada, ranging from Crow Lagoon to Volcano Mountain (Yukon). Each entry lists Province/Territory, Coordinates (lat, long), and Type and status so you can compare locations, access points, and activity levels; for the full list and details you’ll find below.
Are any of these volcanoes currently active or dangerous to nearby communities?
Most listed volcanoes are dormant or long-quiet, with only a few showing geothermal signs or occasional seismicity; significant eruptions in Canada are rare and typically confined to remote areas, but localized hazards like ash, landslides, or gas can occur, so check current notices from Natural Resources Canada or regional authorities before visiting.
How is volcanic activity tracked and where can I get more detailed data?
Monitoring is handled by federal and provincial agencies using seismographs, satellite imagery, and field studies, though coverage is sparser than in more volcanically active countries; for eruption histories, monitoring updates, and maps consult Natural Resources Canada and the Geological Survey of Canada.
Volcanoes in Canada
| Name | Province/Territory | Coordinates (lat, long) | Type and status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Meager | British Columbia | 50.63, -123.50 | Stratovolcano complex, historically active |
| Mount Garibaldi | British Columbia | 49.85, -123.00 | Stratovolcano, dormant, potentially active |
| Mount Edziza | British Columbia | 57.72, -130.63 | Shield volcano complex, dormant, potentially active |
| Nazko Cone | British Columbia | 52.92, -123.73 | Cinder cone, dormant, potentially active |
| Tseax Cone | British Columbia | 55.12, -128.90 | Cinder cone, historically active |
| Lava Fork | British Columbia | 56.42, -130.88 | Cinder cone, historically active |
| Mount Cayley | British Columbia | 50.12, -123.28 | Stratovolcano complex, dormant, potentially active |
| Mount Price | British Columbia | 49.92, -123.03 | Stratovolcano, dormant |
| The Black Tusk | British Columbia | 49.97, -123.03 | Volcanic plug (stratovolcano remnant), extinct |
| Level Mountain | British Columbia | 58.42, -131.35 | Shield volcano, dormant |
| Heart Peaks | British Columbia | 58.60, -131.97 | Shield volcano, dormant |
| The Spectrum Range | British Columbia | 57.43, -130.68 | Shield volcano, dormant |
| Hoodoos Mountain | British Columbia | 56.78, -131.28 | Subglacial volcano (tuya), dormant |
| Pyramid Mountain | British Columbia | 52.08, -120.12 | Subglacial volcano (tuya), dormant |
| Dragon Cone | British Columbia | 52.25, -120.02 | Cinder cone, dormant |
| Mount Silverthrone | British Columbia | 51.55, -126.11 | Caldera complex, dormant, potentially active |
| Ruby Mountain | British Columbia | 59.68, -133.32 | Cinder cone, dormant |
| Volcano Mountain (Yukon) | Yukon | 60.02, -135.05 | Cinder cone, dormant |
| Crow Lagoon | British Columbia | 54.73, -130.23 | Cinder cone, dormant |
| Eve Cone | British Columbia | 57.65, -130.70 | Cinder cone, dormant |
Images and Descriptions
Mount Meager
Canada’s most recent major explosive eruption occurred here about 2,400 years ago. Considered Canada’s highest-threat volcano due to its explosive potential, unstable slopes, and proximity to communities downstream.
Mount Garibaldi
A stunning, glacially eroded volcano visible from Squamish. Its unique shape is due to its formation atop a massive ice sheet, which caused its flanks to collapse as the ice melted away.
Mount Edziza
A massive volcanic complex in remote northern BC, larger in volume than Mount Fuji. It has a central ice-filled caldera and is dotted with over 30 well-preserved cinder cones from more recent eruptions.
Nazko Cone
The youngest volcano in the Anahim Volcanic Belt, erupting only 7,200 years ago. A swarm of seismic activity in 2007-2008 indicated magma movement deep below, renewing scientific interest.
Tseax Cone
Site of Canada’s deadliest known eruption around 1700. Volcanic gases are blamed in Nisga’a First Nation oral history for the tragic deaths of approximately 2,000 people living in nearby villages.
Lava Fork
Considered Canada’s most recently erupted volcano, with activity as recent as 1891. Its well-preserved lava flows crossed the border into Alaska, creating a unique international volcanic feature.
Mount Cayley
A deeply eroded stratovolcano in the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt. It is a prime candidate for geothermal energy exploration due to the significant heat still present within its magmatic system.
Mount Price
Located near Garibaldi Lake, this volcano created the massive lava flow known as The Barrier. This natural dam holds back the lake, and its stability is monitored due to landslide risk.
The Black Tusk
An iconic and jagged peak in Garibaldi Provincial Park. It’s the hardened lava core of an ancient stratovolcano, with its dark, durable rock exposed after the softer outer cone eroded away.
Level Mountain
One of Canada’s most voluminous and extensive young volcanoes, this massive shield covers over 1,800 square kilometers. Its broad summit is dotted with numerous small lava domes and cinder cones.
Heart Peaks
A large shield volcano in northwestern BC with a high plateau formed by extensive basaltic lava flows. The plateau is topped by several small, bare volcanic cones, forming a unique landscape.
The Spectrum Range
A colourful, deeply eroded part of the larger Mount Edziza complex. Its vibrant red, yellow, and orange hues come from hydrothermally altered volcanic rock, creating a spectacular, rainbow-like landscape.
Hoodoos Mountain
A flat-topped, steep-sided volcano that erupted underneath a glacier. Its distinctive shape, called a tuya, is a classic example of this landform created by glaciovolcanic interaction.
Pyramid Mountain
A prominent tuya in Wells Gray Provincial Park. It formed when lava erupted beneath a thick ice sheet during the last ice age, creating its characteristic flat top and steep sides.
Dragon Cone
A well-preserved cinder cone within the Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field. It is the source of a 22-km long lava flow that blocked the Murtle River, leading to the formation of Helmcken Falls.
Mount Silverthrone
A massive, deeply eroded caldera complex buried under the vast Ha-Iltzuk Icefield. Recent seismic activity suggests it may still have an active magma system deep beneath the ice cap.
Ruby Mountain
A striking red-coloured cinder cone in the Atlin Volcanic Field of northwestern BC. Its last eruption sent a lava flow into Surprise Lake, and it remains one of the area’s most notable landmarks.
Volcano Mountain (Yukon)
Part of the Alligator Lake volcanic complex near Whitehorse. This well-preserved cinder cone and its associated lava flows are some of the youngest and most accessible volcanic features in the Yukon.
Crow Lagoon
Located on the north coast of BC, this is one of Canada’s youngest volcanoes, having erupted only a few thousand years ago. It is part of the extensive Iskut-Unuk River Cones volcanic field.
Eve Cone
A perfectly symmetrical and young-looking black cinder cone located on the flank of the larger Mount Edziza shield volcano. It is one of the most visually striking and well-preserved cones in Canada.
