Itasy Volcanic Field
Volcanic field · 1,800m · Madagascar
About Itasy Volcanic Field
Itasy Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 1,800 meters (5,906 feet) in Madagascar's Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity. The volcano has produced 3 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Itasy Volcanic Field is located in Madagascar, within the Central Madagascar Volcanic Province of the broader Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. Situated at 19.03° S, 46.64° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,800 meters above sea level, Itasy 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.
Eruption History Summary
Itasy Volcanic Field has 3 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 8301 BCE to 6050 BCE. These eruptions span roughly 2,251 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
The Itasy Volcanic Field in central Madagascar contains a diverse assemblage of volcanic landforms, including scoria cones, lava domes, and maars. Activity began in the Pliocene, when eruptions produced trachytic lava domes and basanitic lava flows. Later activity produced trachytic lava flows and Vulcanian eruptions. A trachytic maar is located near Saovinandriana, and several other small crater lakes are present. Minor seismicity and thermal activity is present in the form of hot springs. Radiocarbon dates reported in 1970, 1973, and 1993 lack stratigraphic, location, and eruption source details. Rasoazanamparany (2021) conducted new sampling form lava flows and scoria cones across the volcanic field, resulting in 40Ar/39Ar ages from about 31 to 104 ka. While Holocene maars created by phreatic or phreatomagmatic explosions are possible, there is no clear evidence for such activity.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
3 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6050 BCE | — | Uncertain Eruption | — |
| 6555 BCE | — | Uncertain Eruption | — |
| 8301 BCE | — | Uncertain Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Itasy Volcanic Field
Is Itasy Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
Itasy Volcanic Field 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 Itasy Volcanic Field last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Itasy Volcanic Field occurred in 6050 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Uncertain Eruption." Itasy Volcanic Field has 3 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Itasy Volcanic Field?+
Itasy Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 1,800 meters (5,906 feet) above sea level. At 1,800 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Itasy Volcanic Field?+
Itasy 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 Itasy Volcanic Field located?+
Itasy Volcanic Field is located in Madagascar, in the Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Madagascar Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -19.031° latitude, 46.644° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Itasy Volcanic Field?+
Itasy Volcanic Field can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Madagascar may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
