West Elk Peak

West Elk Peak, elevation 13,042 ft (3,975 m), is the highest summit in the West Elk Mountains of Gunnison County, Colorado.[3] The mountain is in the West Elk Wilderness, northwest of Gunnison. The terrain consists mostly of volcanic breccia, known in this area as West Elk Breccia, dated at 35 to 30 million years old.

West Elk Peak
Photo of West Elk Peak
West Elk Peak
Highest point
Elevation13,042 ft (3,975 m)[1][2]
Prominence3,095 ft (943 m)[3]
Isolation13.78 mi (22.18 km)[3]
ListingColorado prominent summits
Colorado range high points
Coordinates38°43′04″N 107°11′58″W[1]
Geography
West Elk Peak is located in Colorado
West Elk Peak
West Elk Peak
LocationGunnison County, Colorado, U.S.[4]
Parent rangeHighest summit of the
West Elk Mountains[3]
Topo mapUSGS 7.5' topographic map
West Elk Peak, Colorado[1]

Geological History - The decipherable known geological history of this peak began in the late Paleozoic, where it formed into the eastern edge of the Uncompahgre highland. Around 10,000 to 15,000 feet of sediment covered the old highland surface in the Mesozoic and early Cenozoic. During the Oligocene, the Colorado mineral belt began to form with the intrusion of two batholiths. One of these batholiths rose sufficiently near the surface, enough to feed volcanoes in the West Elk and San Juan Mountains. The resulting volcanic pile has been subjected to intermittent, occasional uplift as well as being shaped by water and ice. Mineral deposits are somewhat scarce in the surrounding area of the peak, but bituminous coal has been mined on the northern and eastern flanks.[5]

Historical names
  • West Elk Mountain
  • West Elk Peak [4]

See also

References
  1. "WEST ELK D". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  2. The elevation of West Elk Peak includes an adjustment of +2.105 m (+6.91 ft) from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88.
  3. "West Elk Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  4. "West Elk Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  5. Young, Robert G.; Young, Joann W. (1984). Colorado west : land of geology and wildflowers (Rev. ed.). Grand Junction, Colo.: R.G. Young. ISBN 0961101008. OCLC 12639106.


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