Volcanic Activity in Canada

There has only been one documented volcanic eruption in the late 1700's, however there are many dormant volcanoes along the western coast of Canada.  The Tseax Cone Volcano occurred about 1775, and was responsible for approximately 2,000 deaths.  The lava destroyed several villages and created toxic gas around the area.  Lava flows engulfed the Nass river, forever changing the landscape.  

Currently, there are six volcanoes along the convergent plate boundary that separates the Juan de Fuca and North American plates.  While this area is considered to be in the “Ring of Fire” that is notorious for volcanic activity, these major events have occurred in Washington and Alaska.  The 1980 Mt. St. Hellens eruption occurred just 400 km from the US Canada border.  Mt. Baker, which is just 40 km from the US/Canada border, would be the biggest volcanic risk to the Canadian people in the province of British Columbia. 

Mt. Baker experienced a minor eruption in 1870, and steam can be seen coming from the top peak on a cold day.  Although this does not indicate a pending eruption, this does illustrate that Mt. Baker could erupt someday.  While an eruption of Mt. Baker would likely not cause significant destruction in British Columbia, there would be secondary effects.  A thick layer of ash would impair the air quality of British Columbia, as well as stress many of their emergency resources.  The risk of volcanic activity is very low, however dramatic seismic activity could change all of that.  

http://www.embc.gov.bc.ca/em/hazard_preparedness/volcano/volcano-hazards-in-bc.pdf

https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/mrgnc-mngmnt/ntrl-hzrds/vlcnc-rptn-eng.aspx

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/baker/baker_geo_hist_115.html

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/blog/posting.asp?ID=439