Mount Babel (Quebec) Explained

Mount Babel
Other Name:Mont Babel
Elevation M:952
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence M:590
Listing:List of mountains of Canada
Location:Rivière-aux-Outardes, Quebec, Canada
Map:Canada Quebec
Map Size:200
Label Position:left
Coordinates:51.4411°N -68.6919°W

Mount Babel is the highest peak of the René-Levasseur Island, at 9520NaN0 above sea-level, which is 5900NaN0 above the Manicouagan Reservoir level. It lies within the Louis-Babel Ecological Reserve in Quebec, Canada.

History

The mount is named after Catholic missionary Louis Babel (1829–1912), who is said to have converted Montagnais and Naskapis.

Mount Babel is the central peak of the Manicouagan impact structure and was formed by the rebound of the crust after the impact of a meteor 210 million years ago. The mountain and reservoir are of particular interest to geologists due to the shock metamorphosis it endured.[2]

Biodiversity

Mount Babel is a valuable research ground for biologists. One can find montane and alpine climate zones there, since meteorological conditions become increasingly extreme towards the summit. These conditions create a quick transition from boreal forest to tundra, where there can be found lichen and other arctic life forms that would normally be observed hundreds of kilometres farther north.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mont Babel. Banque de noms de lieux du Québec. Commission de Toponymie. 20 Sep 2010. fr.
  2. Web site: Gouvernement du Québec . Réserve écologique Louis-Babel . Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs . Québec . 20 Sep 2010. fr.