About Namarunu
Namarunu is a shield rising to 817 meters (2,681 feet) in Kenya's Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 6550 BCE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Namarunu is located in Kenya, within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 1.98° N, 36.43° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 817 meters above sea level, Namarunu 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
Namarunu 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 Namarunu 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
Namarunu has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 6550 BCE to 6550 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
The largely Pliocene Namarunu trachytic shield volcano is topped by cones and lava flows of upper Pleistocene and Holocene age. Voluminous basaltic effusive and explosive activity took place during the early Holocene on the lower N, E, and S flanks along the axis of the East African Rift. The activity produced fissure-controlled subaerial basaltic scoria cones and lava flows, and partially or completely sub-lacustral tuff cones, tuff rings, and pillow lavas. Olivine basalts erupted from a breached scoria cone at the summit. The youngest eruptions postdated the drying out of Lake Sugata about 3,000 years ago. Some could be as recent as the recorded eruptions at The Barrier volcano to the north (Dunkley et al., 1993). Hot springs are located on some of the young volcanic cones on the rift valley floor and on the E side of the rift along the base of the Tirr Tirr Plateau.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6550 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Lower eastern flanks |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Namarunu
Is Namarunu an active volcano?+
Namarunu is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 6550 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Namarunu last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Namarunu occurred in 6550 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Namarunu has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Namarunu?+
Namarunu has a summit elevation of 817 meters (2,681 feet) above sea level. At 817 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Namarunu?+
Namarunu is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Namarunu located?+
Namarunu is located in Kenya, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 1.980° latitude, 36.430° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Namarunu?+
Namarunu 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.
