About Voon, Tarso
Voon, Tarso is a stratovolcano rising to 3,100 meters (10,171 feet) in Chad's Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Voon, Tarso is located in Chad, within the East Central Sahara Volcanic Province of the broader Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 20.92° N, 17.28° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 3,100 meters above sea level, Voon, Tarso 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 composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Voon, Tarso 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 Voon, Tarso tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Chad more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is trachyte / trachydacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
GVP Reference Summary
The broad summit of Tarso Voon volcano, located in the west-central part of the Tibesti Range, is truncated by a shallow 14 x 18 km wide caldera. Ignimbrite deposits surround the caldera to distances of 15-35 km. It was constructed over a basement of Precambrian schists. Youthful-looking Quaternary basaltic lava flows have been erupted from vents near the caldera rim over a 180-degree area extending counterclockwise from the NE and from Ehi Mousgau, a 3100-m-high stratovolcano located to the NW. The Soborom solfatara field, the largest in the Tibesti Range, is located in an area of volcano-tectonic uplift 5 km west of the caldera rim. Its fumaroles, active mud pots, and boiling waters are visited by Tibesti peoples for medicinal uses.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Voon, Tarso.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Voon, Tarso
Is Voon, Tarso an active volcano?+
Voon, Tarso is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Unrest / Holocene." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Voon, Tarso?+
Voon, Tarso has a summit elevation of 3,100 meters (10,171 feet) above sea level. At 3,100 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Voon, Tarso?+
Voon, Tarso 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 Voon, Tarso located?+
Voon, Tarso is located in Chad, in the Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the East Central Sahara Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 20.920° latitude, 17.280° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Voon, Tarso?+
Voon, Tarso can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Chad may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
