About Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field
Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) in Uganda'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
Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field is located in Uganda, within the Albertine Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 0.46° N, 30.27° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,300 meters above sea level, Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field 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 Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field in Uganda 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 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
The Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field (also known as Kwatya) is located in the Western Rift Valley, N of the equator and E of the Ruwenzori Mountains about halfway between Lake Edward and Lake Albert. The numerous tuff cones and lake-filled maars are part of a group of Quaternary volcanic fields in western Uganda. Leaf fragments obtained from basal sediments cored from Lake Kifuruka were radiocarbon dated to 11,560 cal BP (9610 BCE) (Kiage et al., 2020). No eruption dates are known.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field
Is Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field 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 Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field?+
Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) above sea level. At 1,300 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field?+
Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field 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 Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field located?+
Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field is located in Uganda, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Albertine Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 0.458° latitude, 30.275° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field?+
Ndali-Kasenda Volcanic Field can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Uganda may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
