About Mayotte
Mayotte is a shield rising to 660 meters (2,165 feet) in France's Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 2050 BCE. The volcano has produced 3 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Mayotte is located in France, within the Madagascar-Comoros Volcanic Province of the broader Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. Situated at 12.83° S, 45.17° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 660 meters above sea level, Mayotte is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Mayotte 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 Mayotte tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in France 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.
Eruption History Summary
Mayotte has 3 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 4050 BCE to 2050 BCE. These eruptions span roughly 2,000 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
Mayotte, located in the Mozambique Channel between the northern tip of Madagascar and the eastern coast of Africa, consists two main volcanic islands, Grande Terre and Petite Terre, and roughly twenty islets within a barrier-reef lagoon complex (Zinke et al., 2005; Pelleter et al., 2014). Volcanism began roughly 15-10 million years ago (Pelleter et al., 2014; Nougier et al., 1986), and has included basaltic lava flows, nephelinite, tephrite, phonolitic domes, and pyroclastic deposits (Nehlig et al., 2013). Lava flows on the NE were emplaced from about 4.7 to 1.4 million years, and on the south from about 7.7 to 2.7 million years. Mafic activity resumed on the north from about 2.9 to 1.2 million years and on the south from about 2 to 1.5 million years. Several pumice layers found in cores on the barrier reef-lagoon complex indicate that volcanism likely occurred less than 7,000 years ago (Zinke et al., 2003).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
3 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 3550 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 4050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Mayotte
Is Mayotte an active volcano?+
Mayotte is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 2050 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Mayotte last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Mayotte occurred in 2050 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Mayotte has 3 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Mayotte?+
Mayotte has a summit elevation of 660 meters (2,165 feet) above sea level. At 660 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Mayotte?+
Mayotte is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Mayotte located?+
Mayotte is located in France, in the Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Madagascar-Comoros Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -12.830° latitude, 45.170° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Mayotte?+
Mayotte can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. France may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
