About Hanish
Hanish is a shield rising to 422 meters (1,385 feet) in Yemen's Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Hanish is located in Yemen, within the Red Sea Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 13.72° N, 42.73° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At just 422 meters above sea level, Hanish is a relatively low-elevation volcanic feature. Despite its modest height, it remains an active geological formation with the same underlying magmatic processes as its taller counterparts. 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
Hanish is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near Hanish in Yemen generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. 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 Hanish Islands are formed from a series of volcanic vents along a NE-SW trend, and include the Holocene Great Hanish, Little Hanish, and many other small islands and submarine shoals. The Zukur-Hanish island group lies in shallow waters S of the Red Sea median trough. Spatter cones, cinder cones, and ash cones line the crest of the 20-km-long Great Hanish Island. Short lava flows reach the coast on both sides of the island. Initial eruptions were phreatic, followed by the formation of basaltic cinder cones, spatter cones, and fluid lava flows.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Hanish.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Hanish
Is Hanish an active volcano?+
Hanish 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 Hanish?+
Hanish has a summit elevation of 422 meters (1,385 feet) above sea level. At 422 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Hanish?+
Hanish is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Hanish located?+
Hanish is located in Yemen, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Red Sea Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 13.720° latitude, 42.730° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Hanish?+
Hanish can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Yemen may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
