Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar
Volcanic field · 1,700m · Saudi Arabia
About Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar
Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar is a volcanic field rising to 1,700 meters (5,578 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. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption, with a maximum Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 2.
Geography & Climate
Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar is located in Saudi Arabia, within the Western Arabia Volcanic Province of the broader Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 27.41° N, 37.28° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level, Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar 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.
Eruption History Summary
Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 640 CE to 640 CE. The most powerful recorded event was an explosive event producing ash plumes up to several kilometers in 640 CE, reaching VEI 2 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.
GVP Reference Summary
Harrat ar Rahah-'Uwayrid is the northernmost of a series of Quaternary volcanic fields paralleling the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, south of the city of Tabuk. The olivine basaltic field extends NW-SE about 240 km overall, and contains numerous scoria cones, tuff cones, and associated lava fields. The northern segments comprise Harrat ar Rahah, with an erosional divide where the field narrows to about 1 km at Matar. Lava flows are more numerous in the southern segment, where they rise above the Cambrian sandstone plain; on the S and SW sides the sandstones and basaltic lava fields are dissected, and lava flows traveled mainly NE. The Harrat 'Uwayrid area is south of another erosional divide, within which the Hala-'l-Bedr cone is located. Some analysis places an eruption around 640 CE at either or both of the Hala-'l-Bedr or Hala-'l-'Ischia cones within the field, including Bedouin legends of fire and stones erupting and killing herdsmen with their cattle and sheep. However, others place this event in the Harrat Rahat immediately south of Medina where young lava flows are present.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 640 | 2 | Uncertain Eruption | Hala-'l-Bedr, Hala-'l-'Ishqua or both |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar
Is Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar an active volcano?+
Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar occurred in 640 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 2. The eruption was classified as a "Uncertain Eruption." Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar?+
Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar has a summit elevation of 1,700 meters (5,578 feet) above sea level. At 1,700 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar?+
Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar 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 Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar located?+
Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar is located in Saudi Arabia, in the Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Western Arabia Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 27.408° latitude, 37.279° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar?+
Rahah-'Uwayrid, Harrat ar 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.
