Grille, La
Shield · 1,064m · Union of the Comoros
About Grille, La
Grille, La is a shield rising to 1,064 meters (3,491 feet) in Union of the Comoros's Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Grille, La is located in Union of the Comoros, within the Madagascar-Comoros Volcanic Province of the broader Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. Situated at 11.49° S, 43.35° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,064 meters above sea level, Grille, La 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
Grille, La 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 Grille, La tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Union of the Comoros more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. 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.
GVP Reference Summary
La Grille is a basaltic shield volcano at the N end of Grand Comore Island (Ngazidja). Unlike the larger Karthala volcano to the S, it lacks a summit caldera but has an abundance of pyroclastic cones. The cones were erupted along fissures paralleling the irregular N-S summit ridge and from radial fissures that reach as far as the coast. Recent lava flows, some perhaps as young as a few hundred years, have reached the sea from fissures on the lower W, N, and E flanks.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Grille, La.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Grille, La
Is Grille, La an active volcano?+
Grille, La is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Grille, La?+
Grille, La has a summit elevation of 1,064 meters (3,491 feet) above sea level. At 1,064 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Grille, La?+
Grille, La is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Grille, La located?+
Grille, La is located in Union of the Comoros, in the Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Madagascar-Comoros Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -11.486° latitude, 43.350° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Grille, La?+
Grille, La can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Union of the Comoros may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
