About Birk, Harrat al
Birk, Harrat al is a volcanic field rising to 587 meters (1,926 feet) in Saudi Arabia'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
Birk, Harrat al is located in Saudi Arabia, within the Southwest Arabia Volcanic Province of the broader Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 18.37° N, 41.63° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 587 meters above sea level, Birk, Harrat al 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
Birk, Harrat al 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 Birk, Harrat al tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Saudi Arabia more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. 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 Harrat al Birk volcanic field, also known as Harrat Hayil or Hubhub al Sheikh, is the only Saudi Arabian volcanic field that lies directly along the Red Sea coast. It covers an 1800 km2 area west of the town of Abha and separates the Tihamat ash Sham and Tihamat 'Asir coastal plains. Volcanic activity dates back to the Miocene and concluded with the formation of Holocene cinder cones (Brown et al., 1984). The Quaternary lava flows are of basaltic to trachybasaltic composition and contain ultramafic inclusions. Cinder cones are scattered throughout the volcanic field, with a few late-stage cones (Ba'a and Qishr) NE of the main lava field. Isolated patches of freshly eroded ash surround a vent at Jabal Ba'a, east of the main field, suggesting an eruption during the last century.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Birk, Harrat al.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Birk, Harrat al
Is Birk, Harrat al an active volcano?+
Birk, Harrat al 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 Birk, Harrat al?+
Birk, Harrat al has a summit elevation of 587 meters (1,926 feet) above sea level. At 587 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Birk, Harrat al?+
Birk, Harrat al 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 Birk, Harrat al located?+
Birk, Harrat al is located in Saudi Arabia, in the Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southwest Arabia Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 18.370° latitude, 41.630° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Birk, Harrat al?+
Birk, Harrat al can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Saudi Arabia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
