Missouri’s Highest Point Formed by Ancient Volcanoes

I have lived in Missouri most of my life and did not realize that I was growing up on top of what used to be a series of ancient volcanoes. That's the history behind the highest point in the state that was born out of lava flows way before any of us were around.

This is the marker that reveals the highest point in the state of Missouri

Love Exploring just shared the highest point in each state mentioning that Taum Sauk Mountain was the zenith for Missouri at an altitude of 1,772 feet up into the sky. What many don't realize is that the St. Francois Mountains that Taum Sauk is a part of was born from a lava flow from ancient volcanoes according to Missouri Parks. I will confess that I don't consider Missouri to be a state that has mountains since I've lived in Colorado several times in my life. But, that's where I'm wrong. As it turns out, a hill that is taller than 1,000 feet is the measuring stick for when it can be considered a mountain and Taum Sauk Mountain clears that height by a lot.

I also don't think of Missouri when I think of volcanoes, but that's probably because I use movies like Dante's Peak for what I view as volcanoes. There's a fascinating look at the geology of Missouri that really does include ancient volcanoes by Ozark Outsider.