About Silali
Silali is a shield rising to 1,528 meters (5,013 feet) in Kenya's Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 5050 BCE. The volcano has produced 3 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Silali is located in Kenya, within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 1.15° N, 36.23° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,528 meters above sea level, Silali 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
Silali 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 Silali 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 trachyte / trachydacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
Eruption History Summary
Silali has 3 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 7050 BCE to 5050 BCE. These eruptions span roughly 2,000 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
The 30-km-wide Silali trachytic shield volcano, the largest Quaternary volcano in the northern Gregory Rift, completely straddles the East African Rift. The 5 x 8 km summit caldera with 300 m deep walls is thought to have formed incrementally about 63,000 years ago, related to eruption of the Kantenmening basaltic and trachytic lava flows. A series of summit-area lava benches formed by eruptions from circumferential fissures is morphologically similar to Galapagos Islands volcanoes. The N, E, and S flanks are cut by a prominent broad rift zone 10 km wide and 30 km long, with numerous pyroclastic cones. Lava domes on the upper E flank formed during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, until about 7,000 years ago. Youthful cones are common on the caldera floor and on the N and NE flanks; the youngest lava flows may be little more than a few hundred years old (Williams et al. 1984). Geothermal activity occurs within the caldera and on the upper E flanks.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
3 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Upper east flank |
| 6050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Eastern part of caldera |
| 7050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Upper east flank |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Silali
Is Silali an active volcano?+
Silali is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 5050 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Silali last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Silali occurred in 5050 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Silali has 3 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Silali?+
Silali has a summit elevation of 1,528 meters (5,013 feet) above sea level. At 1,528 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Silali?+
Silali is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Silali located?+
Silali is located in Kenya, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 1.150° latitude, 36.230° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Silali?+
Silali 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.
