Karthala
| Karthala | ||
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 Caldera of the Karthala |
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| height | 2361 m | |
| location | Grande Comore , Comoros | |
| Coordinates | 11 ° 45 ′ 0 ″ S , 43 ° 22 ′ 48 ″ E | |
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| Type | Shield volcano | |
| Last eruption | 2007 | |
Karthala is an active volcano on the island of Grande Comore and at the same time the highest point in the Comoros . Eruptions on April 17, 2005 and May 29, 2006 ended a period of inactivity since 1991.
Karthala is 2,361 meters high and is near the capital Moroni . The volcano is always active and has had more than 20 eruptions since the 19th century. Frequent eruptions formed a caldera 3 to 4 kilometers in diameter, but the island itself has so far been saved from major destruction.
Outbreak April 2005
The eruption, which carried the risk of lava flows and deadly volcanic gases, resulted in the relocation of 40,000 people. The crater was deformed again by the eruption. The gray ash field around the crater and the caldera itself seem larger and deeper. The crater lake that formed after the eruption in 1991 and dominated the view of the caldera has now completely disappeared. Instead, there are now dark gray rocks, probably cooling lava .
Activity May 2006
On May 29, 2006, it was reported that Moroni residents spotted fresh lava at the top of the volcano. After a few days, activities stalled.
See also
Web links
- Karthala in the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution (English)
- Mount Karthala Activity Reports in the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution (English)