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Nido Formation

Coordinates: 57°30′N 130°36′W / 57.5°N 130.6°W / 57.5; -130.6
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Nido Formation
Stratigraphic range: 7.8–4.4 Ma
TypeGeological formation[1]
Unit ofMount Edziza volcanic complex[2]
Sub-unitsKounugu Member, Tenchen Member[1]
UnderliesSpectrum Formation, Pyramid Formation, Ice Peak Formation, Big Raven Formation, Edziza Formation[1]
OverliesRaspberry Formation, Armadillo Formation, Little Iskut Formation[1]
Lithology
PrimaryAlkali basalt, hawaiite[1]
OtherFluvial gravel[1]
Location
Coordinates57°30′N 130°36′W / 57.5°N 130.6°W / 57.5; -130.6[2]
RegionBritish Columbia[1]
CountryCanada[1]
Type section
Named forNido Creek[1]
Named bySouther et al., 1984[3]

The Nido Formation is a stratigraphic unit of Neogene age in northwestern British Columbia, Canada.

Naming

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The Nido Formation takes its name from Nido Creek, a stream flowing northeast from the eastern flank of Mount Edziza into Nuttlude Lake.[1][4][5] Nido means "white man" in the Tahltan language.[5]

Geology

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The Nido Formation has a volume of 127 km3 (30 cu mi), making it the second most voluminous geological formation of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex after the Armadillo Formation.[1][2] It overlies the Raspberry, Armadillo and Little Iskut formations, all of which are Miocene in age. Also underlying the Nido Formation are pre-Tertiary rocks of the Stikinia terrane. Overlying the Nido Formation are the Spectrum, Pyramid, Ice Peak, Edziza and Big Raven formations which are of Pliocene age and younger.[1]

Two subunits comprise the Nido Formation, namely the Tenchen Member and the Kounugu Member. Both members are separated by the Armadillo Highlands in the middle of the Mount Edziza volcanic complex. The Tenchen Member forms a lava field north of the Armadillo Highlands while the Kounugu Member forms a lava field south of the highlands.[1]

The Nido Formation consists of alkali basalt and hawaiite lava flows that issued from multiple eruptive centres. K–Ar dating has yielded ages of 7.8 ± 0.3 million years, 5.5 ± 1.6 million years, 4.5 ± 0.3 million years and 4.4 ± 0.5 million years for Nido alkali basalt.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Souther, J. G. (1992). The Late Cenozoic Mount Edziza Volcanic Complex, British Columbia. Geological Survey of Canada (Report). Memoir 420. Canada Communication Group. pp. 93, 95, 98, 100, 246, 248, 249, 267. doi:10.4095/133497. ISBN 0-660-14407-7.
  2. ^ a b c Edwards, Benjamin Ralph (1997). Field, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies of magmatic assimilation in the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province, northwestern British Columbia (PhD thesis). University of British Columbia. p. 10. ISBN 0-612-25005-9.
  3. ^ "Nido Formation". Lexicon of Canadian Geologic Units. Government of Canada. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  4. ^ "A 502" (Topographic map). Telegraph Creek, Cassiar Land District, British Columbia (3 ed.). 1:250,000. 104 G (in English and French). Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. 1989. Archived from the original on 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  5. ^ a b "Nido Creek". BC Geographical Names. Retrieved 2023-06-29.