About Ol Kokwe
Ol Kokwe is a shield rising to 1,130 meters (3,708 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
Ol Kokwe is located in Kenya, within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 0.62° N, 36.08° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,130 meters above sea level, Ol Kokwe 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
Ol Kokwe 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 Ol Kokwe 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.
GVP Reference Summary
The elongated Ol Kokwe Island in the center of Lake Baringo SW of Korosi volcano consists of young basaltic scoria cones that cap a trachytic shield volcano. N-S-trending faults cut the complex, producing W-facing scarps. Smaller islands to the N and S are faulted basaltic lava flows; Parmalok Island to the SW is a breached trachytic tuff cone that fed a small lava flow. The latest eruptive activity was estimated to have occurred within the past thousand years (Smith 1991, pers. comm.). Hot springs, boiling mud pools, and fumaroles are present along the faults on the NE peninsula of the island and are frequently visited by tourists.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Ol Kokwe.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Ol Kokwe
Is Ol Kokwe an active volcano?+
Ol Kokwe 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 Ol Kokwe?+
Ol Kokwe has a summit elevation of 1,130 meters (3,708 feet) above sea level. At 1,130 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Ol Kokwe?+
Ol Kokwe is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Ol Kokwe located?+
Ol Kokwe is located in Kenya, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 0.620° latitude, 36.075° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Ol Kokwe?+
Ol Kokwe 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.
