About Korath Range
Korath Range is a tuff cone(s) rising to 912 meters (2,992 feet) in Ethiopia's Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Korath Range is located in Ethiopia, within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 5.12° N, 35.89° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 912 meters above sea level, Korath Range 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
Korath Range 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 Korath Range in Ethiopia 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 trachybasalt / tephrite basanite, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
The Korath Range is an isolated group of about 20 tuff cones and lava flows in southern Ethiopia that were erupted along the Turkana Rift, which extends north from Kenya. Many of the cones issued lava flows from their flanks that traveled up to about 5 km. The apparent youngest flow issued from the central crater and flowed through a breach in its rim. The absolute age of the dominantly basanitic-tephritic lava flows is unknown, but a shell adhering to the youngest flow was radiocarbon dated at 7,900 years before present (BP) (Brown et al., 1969). Davidson (1983) indicated an age between 30,000 and 7,900-9,500 BP.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Korath Range.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Korath Range
Is Korath Range an active volcano?+
Korath Range is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Korath Range?+
Korath Range has a summit elevation of 912 meters (2,992 feet) above sea level. At 912 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Korath Range?+
Korath Range is classified as a Tuff cone(s). Tuff cone(s) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Korath Range located?+
Korath Range is located in Ethiopia, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 5.117° latitude, 35.892° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Korath Range?+
Korath Range can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Ethiopia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
