On August 12, 2004, Jack Souther convinced that Flute Summit is an exposed subvolcanic intrusion of an ancient volcano. The subvolcanic magma heated and set up convention in nearby groundwater, creating a hydrothermal system. This ancient hydrothermal system, combined with sulfurous gasses released from the magma, caused chemical alteration of both the crystallizing subvolcanic intrusion and the adjacent rocks. The weathering of pyrite crystals inside the subvolcanic rock to iron oxide has resulted in the redness of Flute Summit.