About Korosi
Korosi is a shield rising to 1,446 meters (4,744 feet) in Kenya'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
Korosi is located in Kenya, within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 0.77° N, 36.12° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,446 meters above sea level, Korosi 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
Korosi 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 Korosi 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.
GVP Reference Summary
The trachytic Korosi shield volcano lies at the N end of Lake Baringo. Unlike other rift valley volcanoes, it does not contain a summit caldera. Lava domes on the N flanks have fed trachytic lava flows. The major stage of volcanism spanned a period between 0.4 and 0.1 million years ago, and included the eruption of voluminous fluid basaltic lava flows and pyroclastic cone formation along a NNE-trending fissure cutting across the axis of the shield volcano. This was followed by the eruption of trachytic lava domes and pumice/scoria cones. The youngest activity, consisting of fissure-fed basaltic lava flows on the lower N flanks between Korosi and Paka, was probably coeval with the latest eruptions on Ol Kokwe to the S, which are only a few hundred to a few thousand years old (Dunkley et al. 1993). Fumaroles and hot steaming ground occur around the summit cones and NW flanks over an area of 30 km3.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Korosi.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Korosi
Is Korosi an active volcano?+
Korosi is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Korosi?+
Korosi has a summit elevation of 1,446 meters (4,744 feet) above sea level. At 1,446 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Korosi?+
Korosi is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Korosi located?+
Korosi is located in Kenya, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 0.770° latitude, 36.120° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Korosi?+
Korosi 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.
