About Karisimbi
Karisimbi is a stratovolcano rising to 4,490 meters (14,732 feet) in DR Congo-Rwanda's Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 8050 BCE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Karisimbi is located in DR Congo-Rwanda, within the Albertine Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 1.51° S, 29.45° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. Standing at 4,490 meters above sea level, Karisimbi towers above the alpine zone, where vegetation gives way to bare rock, snow, and ice for much of the year. The high elevation means the upper slopes experience significantly colder temperatures than surrounding lowlands. 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
Karisimbi 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 Karisimbi in DR Congo-Rwanda 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 trachybasalt / tephrite basanite, 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
Karisimbi has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 8050 BCE to 8050 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
Karisimbi is a complex basanitic-to-trachytic volcano with a symmetrical sharp-peaked summit. The 2-km-wide Branca caldera, located SE of the summit, is filled by viscous lava flows and two explosion craters. The large 1.2-km-wide Muntango pit crater is located south of the summit. A broad lava plain, formed from lava flows erupted within the caldera and along a chain of cones, extends SW. More than 100 cones erupted along a NNE-SSW zone that extends to the shores of Lake Kivu. The youngest Potassium-Argon date obtained is about 10,000 years before present (de Mulder, 1985). The youngest eruptions produced a group of dome-shaped vents east of the caldera, which fed viscous lava flows that traveled as far as 12 km E, and lava flows from the SW-flank lava vents.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Karisimbi
Is Karisimbi an active volcano?+
Karisimbi is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 8050 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Karisimbi last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Karisimbi occurred in 8050 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Karisimbi has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Karisimbi?+
Karisimbi has a summit elevation of 4,490 meters (14,732 feet) above sea level. At 4,490 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Karisimbi?+
Karisimbi 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 Karisimbi located?+
Karisimbi is located in DR Congo-Rwanda, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Albertine Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -1.506° latitude, 29.450° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Karisimbi?+
Karisimbi can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. DR Congo-Rwanda may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
