About Lake Turkana South Island
Lake Turkana South Island is a stratovolcano rising to 800 meters (2,625 feet) in Kenya's Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1888 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption, with a maximum Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 1.
Geography & Climate
Lake Turkana South Island is located in Kenya, within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 2.64° N, 36.60° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 800 meters above sea level, Lake Turkana South Island is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Lake Turkana South Island 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 Lake Turkana South Island in Kenya 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 basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Lake Turkana South Island has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1888 CE to 1888 CE. The most powerful recorded event was a gentle, effusive event in 1888 CE, reaching VEI 1 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.
GVP Reference Summary
The southernmost and largest of the three volcanic islands in Lake Turkana, South Island (sometimes referred to as Hohnel Island), contains numerous tuff cones. Early stage cone formation may have been associated with a high stand of Lake Turkana dated at about 10,000 years ago, and later subaerial activity postdates the last high stand of the lake about 3,200 years ago. The island is within a volcanic horst that extends 10 km to the N beneath the lake surface. Dominantly basaltic lava flows erupted from a N-S fissure extending the 11-km length of the island are morphologically similar to Holocene flows from The Barrier volcano at the S end of Lake Turkana. An eruption from a scoria cone on the island was witnessed during Count von Teliki's 1888 expedition.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1888 | 1 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Turkana South Island
Is Lake Turkana South Island an active volcano?+
Lake Turkana South Island is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in 1888 CE, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did Lake Turkana South Island last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Lake Turkana South Island occurred in 1888 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 1. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Lake Turkana South Island has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Lake Turkana South Island?+
Lake Turkana South Island has a summit elevation of 800 meters (2,625 feet) above sea level. At 800 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Lake Turkana South Island?+
Lake Turkana South Island is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Lake Turkana South Island located?+
Lake Turkana South Island is located in Kenya, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 2.636° latitude, 36.596° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Lake Turkana South Island?+
Lake Turkana South Island can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Kenya may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
