About SW Usangu Basin
SW Usangu Basin is a lava dome(s) rising to 2,179 meters (7,149 feet) in Tanzania'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
SW Usangu Basin is located in Tanzania, within the Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 8.75° S, 33.80° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 2,179 meters above sea level, SW Usangu Basin rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
A group of late-Pleistocene to Holocene phonolitic lava domes is located at the SW end of the Usangu Basin, NE of the Poroto Mountains. Vents of the SW Usangu Basin volcanic field are located along NNE-trending normal faults (Ebinger et al., 1989). However, Fontijn et al. (2012) considered the volcanic centers in this area, forming a phonolite dome field, to not be part of the late Cenozoic stage of volcanism in the Rungwe Volcanic Province; the most recent dated sample was 0.57 Ma.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for SW Usangu Basin.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About SW Usangu Basin
Is SW Usangu Basin an active volcano?+
SW Usangu Basin is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is SW Usangu Basin?+
SW Usangu Basin has a summit elevation of 2,179 meters (7,149 feet) above sea level. At 2,179 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is SW Usangu Basin?+
SW Usangu Basin is classified as a Lava dome(s). Lava domes are mounds of viscous lava that pile up around a volcanic vent. They grow by expansion from within and can collapse to produce dangerous pyroclastic flows.
Where is SW Usangu Basin located?+
SW Usangu Basin is located in Tanzania, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -8.750° latitude, 33.800° longitude.
Is it safe to visit SW Usangu Basin?+
SW Usangu Basin can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Tanzania may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
