About Vakinankaratra
Vakinankaratra is a volcanic field rising to 2,644 meters (8,675 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.
Geography & Climate
Vakinankaratra is located in Madagascar, within the Central Madagascar Volcanic Province of the broader Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. Situated at 19.85° S, 46.94° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 2,644 meters above sea level, Vakinankaratra 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 cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
The Quaternary Vakinankaratra volcanic field is at the SW end of the larger Neogene Ankaratra volcanic field. Melluso et al. (2016) noted that there were extensive lava flow fields, domes, Strombolian scoria cones, tuff rings and maars. Rufer et al. (2014) used K-feldspar infrared-stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dating, finding ages of 32 ± 3 and 19 ± 2 from phreatomagmatic deposits near Lake Tritrivakely; they reported other dates in the 40-126 ka range.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Vakinankaratra.
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USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Vakinankaratra
Is Vakinankaratra an active volcano?+
Vakinankaratra 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.
How high is Vakinankaratra?+
Vakinankaratra has a summit elevation of 2,644 meters (8,675 feet) above sea level. At 2,644 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Vakinankaratra?+
Vakinankaratra 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 Vakinankaratra located?+
Vakinankaratra is located in Madagascar, in the Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Madagascar Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -19.850° latitude, 46.942° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Vakinankaratra?+
Vakinankaratra 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.
