About Samsari Volcanic Center
Samsari Volcanic Center is a volcanic field rising to 3,290 meters (10,794 feet) in Georgia's Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Samsari Volcanic Center is located in Georgia, within the Caucasus Volcanic Province of the broader Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 41.54° N, 43.70° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At 3,290 meters above sea level, Samsari Volcanic Center 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.
Geological Context
Samsari Volcanic Center 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 Samsari Volcanic Center tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Georgia more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, 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 Samsari Volcanic Center consists of more than 20 volcanoes extedning about 40 km N-S along the Samsari Ridge, part of the Dzhakheti Highland of southern Georgis, about 90 km WSW of Tbilisi. The most prominent volcanoes are Shavnabada in the north, the Samsari Caldera, and Didi-Abuli in the south. K-Ar dates obtained by Lebedev et al. (2003) showed that the oldest rocks were about 400 ka, from Didi-Abuli; the Samsari caldera was active around 200 ka. One sample from Tavkvetili volcano, a feature with a well-preserved crater at the far northern edge of the range, dated to <30 ka. A lava flow from Godorebi volcano, just north of Didi-Abuli, had a similar date.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Samsari Volcanic Center.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Samsari Volcanic Center
Is Samsari Volcanic Center an active volcano?+
Samsari Volcanic Center is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Samsari Volcanic Center?+
Samsari Volcanic Center has a summit elevation of 3,290 meters (10,794 feet) above sea level. At 3,290 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Samsari Volcanic Center?+
Samsari Volcanic Center is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Samsari Volcanic Center located?+
Samsari Volcanic Center is located in Georgia, in the Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Caucasus Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 41.542° latitude, 43.700° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Samsari Volcanic Center?+
Samsari Volcanic Center can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Georgia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
