About West Eifel Volcanic Field
West Eifel Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 600 meters (1,969 feet) in Germany's European Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 8300 BCE. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
West Eifel Volcanic Field is located in Germany, within the Central European Volcanic Province of the broader European Volcanic Regions. Situated at 50.17° N, 6.85° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 600 meters above sea level, West Eifel Volcanic Field is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
West Eifel Volcanic Field is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near West Eifel Volcanic Field in Germany generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. The dominant rock type is foidite, which influences the viscosity of the magma and, consequently, the style of eruptions this volcano produces. Rock chemistry is one of the most important factors in determining whether a volcano erupts explosively or effusively.
Eruption History Summary
West Eifel Volcanic Field has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 8740 BCE to 8300 BCE. These eruptions span roughly 440 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
The West Eifel Volcanic Field of western Germany, SW of the city of Bonn, is a dominantly Pleistocene group of 240 scoria cones, maars, and small stratovolcanoes covering an area of about 600 km2. The smaller, but better known, East Eifel Volcanic Field is about 40 km NE. Individual vents spread across a broad NW-SE-trending area extending about 50 km from the towns of Ormont on the NW to Bad Bertrich on the SE. Eruptions originated from a mantle plume through Devonian sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Two-thirds of the volcanic centers in the field are scoria cones; lava flows have been produced from about half of them. About 30% of the centers are maars or tuff rings, many of which are occupied by lakes. About 230 eruptions have occurred during the past 730,000 years. The latest eruptions formed the Ulmener, Pulvermaar, and Strohn maars around the end of the Pleistocene and the beginning of the Holocene.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8300 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Strohn, Pulvermaar |
| 8740 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Ulmener Maar |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About West Eifel Volcanic Field
Is West Eifel Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
West Eifel Volcanic Field is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 8300 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did West Eifel Volcanic Field last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of West Eifel Volcanic Field occurred in 8300 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." West Eifel Volcanic Field has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is West Eifel Volcanic Field?+
West Eifel Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 600 meters (1,969 feet) above sea level. At 600 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is West Eifel Volcanic Field?+
West Eifel Volcanic Field is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is West Eifel Volcanic Field located?+
West Eifel Volcanic Field is located in Germany, in the European Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central European Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 50.170° latitude, 6.850° longitude.
Is it safe to visit West Eifel Volcanic Field?+
West Eifel Volcanic Field can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Germany may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
