One of the best known mountains in all popular culture is the Kilimanjaro. It is a triple volcano that is made up of 3 with volcanic ones. Each is considered a peak and are known by the names of Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Of these three peaks, Kibo is the highest of all. It is located in Africa and is the highest mountain in the entire continent with a height of 5.895 meters above sea level. It is known as the highest independent mountain in the world.
In this article we are going to tell you about all the characteristics, formation and eruptions of Kilimanjaro.
Key features
Throughout history it has been debated by geologists and volcanologists whether Kilimanjaro is an extinct or dormant volcano. It has been categorized as a dormant. It could be translated as dormant and means a type of volcano that has not erupted for a very long time. However, it could do so at any time. That means a sleeping volcano. It means that, although it has not erupted, it can do so at any time. It is not extinct.
An inactive volcano can continue to hear gases or erupt. In contrast, an extinct volcano no longer has enough magma to be able to eject. In the case of Kilimanjaro we find the Mawenzi and Shira cones as two extinct peaks. This is because there is no longer enough magma to be expelled, and they have an eruption. However, Kilimanjaro as a whole is stille considered inactive as the Kibo peak is still exhaling gas.
Kilimanjaro is composed entirely of a stratovolcano, or composite volcano. This is a type of volcano formed through the accumulation of various flows of solidified materials. These materials are primarily ash and pumice. Kibo Peak is the central cone and the only active one so far. Geographically, we locate it in Tanzania, located about 330 kilometers south of the Equator and near the Kenyan border. This mountain rises above a plain, and one of its slopes is covered in forests, creating a beautiful contrast with the grasslands of the surrounding plains.
Since Kilimanjaro has a height of more than 5.000 meters, during the winter season it is usually with snowy peaks. It is here that one of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire world is offered. And we can see snow and savanna in the same place. This mountain also has one of the ice sheets on top with a huge mass, but it is shrinking due to climate change. Kilimanjaro has lost about 80% of its entire ice mass since 1912.
Kilimanjaro formation
This mountain is located along a boundary of a divergent-type tectonic plate. This type of tectonic plate is one that separates of interest and is capable of allowing magma to arise from deeper regions. Hence the formation of the volcano. Specifically, Kilimanjaro is located on the East African rift. This area is known as a fracture where the African tectonic plate gradually separates into two different plates. It is quite known worldwide thanks to the fact that it was formed in a geologically active boundary. Here at these limits the magma moves through the entire Earth's mantle until it rises to the surface.
The formation of Kilimanjaro took place less than 1 million years ago. All this growth ceased approximately 300.000 years ago. It all started with the eruption and its activity of Shira approximately 2.5 million years ago. During the Pliocene all volcanic activity took place and ended 1.9 million years ago. It is already when approximately 1 million years ago the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks began to launch materials from the interior of the earth.
Most of all the development of Kilimanjaro have taken place during the PleistoceneThe climate of this period could be determined using several methods such as the study of lake levels, river flow, dune systems, the extent of glaciers, and the study of pollen. quaternary There have been 21 major ice ages that have been felt even in East Africa. Traces of the cooling of the climate throughout this area can be found on Kilimanjaro.
The climate indicates that all ecosystem trunks were isolated and alpine-type, with identical flora and fauna. This means that the ecosystem was initially larger and at a low altitude. Later, with the development of peaks, the entire environment was modified, and species had to adapt.
Eruptions
Although we have already mentioned that the Kibo is the only one capable of being able to erupt, it will surely give one day. The eruptive activity that takes place on Kilimanjaro It could be observed 2.5 million years ago from the Shira cone. As mentioned above, no historical eruption is currently known from this volcano. Activity has been very limited, with only a few fumaroles escaping from the Kibo crater. As a result of these fumaroles, some landslides and collapses have occurred, but they have not been of great significance.
The last eruption of the volcano may have taken place approximately 100.000 years ago. The last major volcanic activity has been recorded for about 200 years. Although Shira and Mawenzi are completely extinct, scientists are studying this volcano and do not rule out the possibility that Kibo could erupt someday. However, it is not a dangerous volcano, so you can fully enjoy all its landscapes. Only here can you observe the contrast between snow and savannah.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about Mount Kilimanjaro and all its characteristics.