About Kutum Volcanic Field
Kutum Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 1,779 meters (5,837 feet) in Sudan'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
Kutum Volcanic Field is located in Sudan, within the Southeast Sahara Volcanic Province of the broader Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.57° N, 25.85° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,779 meters above sea level, Kutum 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
Kutum Volcanic Field 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 Kutum Volcanic Field tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Sudan 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 basaltic Kutum volcanic field, in the northern Darfur area of western Sudan, is located SW of the larger Meidob volcanic field. As with other Saharan volcanic fields, Kutum (also known as the Tagabo Hills or Berti Hills) contains very well-preserved cones, lava flows, and explosion craters. They were considered to be of late-Pleistocene or even Holocene age (Almond, 1974). Franz et al. (1997), however, assigned only Tertiary age ranges for rocks from Tagabo Hills.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Kutum Volcanic Field.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Kutum Volcanic Field
Is Kutum Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
Kutum 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 Kutum Volcanic Field?+
Kutum Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 1,779 meters (5,837 feet) above sea level. At 1,779 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Kutum Volcanic Field?+
Kutum 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 Kutum Volcanic Field located?+
Kutum Volcanic Field is located in Sudan, in the Northern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southeast Sahara Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 14.570° latitude, 25.850° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Kutum Volcanic Field?+
Kutum Volcanic Field can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Sudan may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
