Spatsizi Plateau
Name
The name is an adaptation of a phrase in the Sekani language meaning "red goat", a reference to the habit of mountain goats in the area rolling on a particular red-coloured mountain, turning their coats red (tspah=goat, tsije=red).
Geology and terrain
The plateau is a large lava plateau, dissected by river valleys, and contains various small mountain ranges. Both the Stikine and Spatsizi Rivers have their sources in the plateau.
Climate
The climate of the plateau, which is of high altitude, is sub-arctic in nature. Isolated from the moisture of the Pacific Ocean by successive walls of mountains and other plateaus, the Spatsizi is semi-arid in many areas.
Fauna
The Spatsizi Plateau is the range of the largest remaining herd of woodland caribou in British Columbia. Other fauna in the area include mountain goats, moose, grizzlies and wolves.