About Brava
Brava is a stratovolcano rising to 956 meters (3,137 feet) in Cabo Verde's Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Brava is located in Cabo Verde, within the Cape Verde Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.85° N, 24.70° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 956 meters above sea level, Brava is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Brava is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Brava tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Cabo Verde more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is foidite, which influences the viscosity of the magma and, consequently, the style of eruptions this volcano produces. Rock chemistry is one of the most important factors in determining whether a volcano erupts explosively or effusively.
GVP Reference Summary
Brava Island, 18 km W of Fogo, is the westernmost of the southern Cape Verde islands. The 10-km-wide island contains 15 morphologically youthful craters located along two or three lineaments intersecting along the crest of the island. Most of the younger eruptions originated from the interaction of phonolitic magmas with a large groundwater reservoir contained within an older volcanic series characterized by thick welded ignimbrites and block-and-ash flow deposits. Carbonatitic lavas are also found.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Brava.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Brava
Is Brava an active volcano?+
Brava 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 Brava?+
Brava has a summit elevation of 956 meters (3,137 feet) above sea level. At 956 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Brava?+
Brava is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Brava located?+
Brava is located in Cabo Verde, in the Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Cape Verde Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are 14.851° latitude, -24.704° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Brava?+
Brava can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Cabo Verde may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
