The Barrier Volcano
Updated: Nov 10, 2025 08:41 GMT -
Shield volcano
Kenya, 2.32°N / 36.57°E 
Summit height: 1032 m / 3,386 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
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The Barrier volcano eruptions: 1921
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
The Barrier volcanic complex separates Lake Turkana from the broad Suguta Trough to the south, the site of a former lake. The volcano is comprised of four overlapping shield volcanoes, with the youngest, Kakorinya, located over the axis of the East African Rift. Kalolenyang volcano lies west of Kakorinya, and Likaiu West and Likaiu East volcano are located to the ENE. A 3.8-km-wide summit caldera was formed at Kakorinya volcano about 92,000 years ago. Youthful-looking trachytic and phonolitic lava domes and flows erupted within the caldera and along its ring fracture fill much of the caldera floor. Early Holocene fissure-related scoria cones and lava flows dot the volcano's southern and northern flanks. Solfataric fields are located within the caldera and on the western and southern flanks of the volcano. Historical eruptions from Teleki's and Andrew's cones on the northern and southern flanks, respectively, have produced basaltic explosive activity and lava flows during the 19th and 20th centuries.---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Significant volcanic eruptions: The Barrier volcano
In the past 10,000 years, The Barrier has had at least 10 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 6 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from The Barrier volcano.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from The Barrier volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of The Barrier volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of The Barrier can be found on the news page of The Barrier volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North flank (Teleki) Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
| Andrew's or Teleki's Volcanoes Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
| North flank (Teleki) and Likaiu Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
| North flank (Teleki's Cone) Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| North flank (Teleki's Cone) Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| North flank (Teleki's Cone) Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| North flank | ? | ||||
| North flank | ? | ||||
| North flank | ? | ||||
| North (Abili Agituk) and south flanks | ? | ||||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
The Barrier Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of The Barrier volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of The Barrier occurred in 1921.
+How often does The Barrier volcano erupt?
Since 1871, The Barrier volcano has had at least 6 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 25.7 years.
+How active is The Barrier volcano at present?
The Barrier volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had 2 eruptions, and been active during 2 years out of 126 as of now. This means, The Barrier has been in eruption one in 63 years on average. The last eruption was in 1921 and ended 105 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of The Barrier volcano?
The largest eruption of The Barrier volcano in historic times occurred in 1921. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
The Barrier Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of The Barrier volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of The Barrier volcano (scale of few kilometers)
