| RSS | EN | DE | EL | ES | FR | IT | RU

Volcanoes of Africa and the Red Sea (427)

[hide/show quakes] | [smaller] [bigger]
+
Burko | Embagai | Gelai | Hanang | Igwisi Hills | Izumbwe-Mpoli | Katete | Kerimasi | Ketumbeine | Kilimanjaro | Kwaraha | Kyejo | Loolmalasin | Meru | Ngorongoro | Ngozi | Ol Doinyo Lengai | Olmoti | Rungwe | Sadiman | SW Usangu Basin | Tukuyu | Usangu Scarp Basalt | Adwa | Afderà | Alayta | Ale Bagu | Ali Mela | Alu | Alutu | Asavyo | Asgura | Ayelu | Badi | Beru | Bilate River Field | Bishoftu Volcanic Field | Boina | Bora-Bericcio | Borale Ale | Borawli | Boset-Bericha | Butajiri-Silti Field | Ch'Ilalo | Chew Bahir | Chiracha | Corbetti Caldera | Dabbahu | Dabbayra | Dalafilla | Dalaha'ale | Dallol | Dama Ali | Data Gabalti | Dawa Ale-Quarry | Didolli | Dofen | Duguna | East Zway | Egersuwa | Ela | Erta Ale | Fantale | Finini | Gabillema | Gad Elu | Gada Ale | Gademota Caldera | Gedamsa | Groppo | Hayli Gubbi | Hertali | Hobitcha Caldera | Katahelu | Kone | Korath Range | Kurub | Liado Hayk | Ma Alalta | Manda Gargori | Manda Hararo | Manda-Inakir | Mat Ala | Mega Basalt Field | Mousa Alli | O'a Caldera | Oyma | Sodore | Sork Ale | Tat Ali | Tepi | Tosa Sucha | Tullu Moje | Undurer | Unnamed 8.07°N / 39.07°E | Unnamed 8.62°N / 38.95°E | Unnamed 8.70/39.63 | Unnamed 8.7°N / 39.63°E | Yangudi | Zikwala | Alid | Assab Volcanic Field | Dubbi | Gufa | Jalua | Mabda | Mallahle | Nabro | Karisimbi | May-ya-moto | Nyamuragira | Nyiragongo | Tshibinda | Visoke | Bir Borhut | Harra es-Sawâd | Harra of Arhab | Harra of Bal Haf | Harras of Dhamar | Jabal el-Marha | Jabal Haylan | Al Harrah | Harrat 'Uwayrid | Harrat al Birk | Harrat ar Rahah | Harrat Ash Shaam | Harrat Hutaymah | Harrat Ithnayn | Harrat Khaybar | Harrat Kishb | Harrat Lunayyir | Harrat Rahat | Jabal Baqarah | Jabal Yar | Jibal al Haylah | Asie | Bogoria | Central Island | Chyulu Hills | Elmenteita Badlands | Emuruangogolak | Homa Mountain | Huri | Kilombe Caldera | Korosi | Kulal | Lenderut | Longonot | Marsabit | Menengai | Namarunu | North Island | Nyambeni Hills | Ol Doinyo Eburru | Ol Doinyo Nyokie | Ol Kokwe | Olkaria | Paka | Porr | Segererua Plateau | Shombole | Silali | South Island | Sultan Hamud-Simba | Suswa | The Barrier | Bufumbira | Bunyaruguru | Fort Portal | Katunga | Katwe-Kikorongo | Kyatwa | Muhavura | Sabinyo | Haruj | Wau-en-Namus | Waw an Namous | Atakor Volcanic Field | In Ezzane Volcanic Field | In Teria Volcanic Field | Manzaz Volcanic Field | Nemours-Nedroma | Tafna Beni Saf | Tahalra Volcanic Field | Emi Koussi | Tarso Ahon | Tarso Emi Chi | Tarso Tôh | Tarso Toussidé | Tarso Voon | Bayuda Volcanic Field | Jebel Marra | Jebel Umm Arafieb | Kutum Volcanic Field | Meidob Volcanic Field | Ardoukôba | Babba'Olou | Cap-Vert | Azrou Volcanic Field | Berguent Volcanic Field | Chott Tigri Volcanic Field | Mrit-Ment Volcanic Field | Oujda Volcanic Field | Oulmes Volcanic Field | Rekkame Volcanic Field | Cameroon | Kumba Volcanic Field | Manengouba | Ngaoundere Plateau | Oku Volcanic Field | Tombel Graben | Sao Tome | San Carlos | San Joaquin | Santa Isabel | Biu Plateau | Jos Plateau | Hanish | Jebel al-Tair | Jebel Zubair | Zukur

Algeria (7 volcanoes)

Atakor Volcanic Field | In Ezzane Volcanic Field | In Teria Volcanic Field | Manzaz Volcanic Field | Nemours-Nedroma | Tafna Beni Saf | Tahalra Volcanic Field

Cameroon (6 volcanoes)

Cameroon | Kumba Volcanic Field | Manengouba | Ngaoundere Plateau | Oku Volcanic Field | Tombel Graben

Chad (6 volcanoes)

Emi Koussi | Tarso Ahon | Tarso Emi Chi | Tarso Tôh | Tarso Toussidé | Tarso Voon

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (6 volcanoes)

Karisimbi | May-ya-moto | Nyamuragira | Nyiragongo | Tshibinda | Visoke

Djibouti (2 volcanoes)

Ardoukôba | Babba'Olou

Equatorial Guinea (3 volcanoes)

San Carlos | San Joaquin | Santa Isabel

Eritrea (8 volcanoes)

Alid | Assab Volcanic Field | Dubbi | Gufa | Jalua | Mabda | Mallahle | Nabro

Ethiopia (77 volcanoes)

Kenya (31 volcanoes)

Libya (3 volcanoes)

Haruj | Wau-en-Namus | Waw an Namous

Morocco (7 volcanoes)

Azrou Volcanic Field | Berguent Volcanic Field | Chott Tigri Volcanic Field | Mrit-Ment Volcanic Field | Oujda Volcanic Field | Oulmes Volcanic Field | Rekkame Volcanic Field

Nigeria (2 volcanoes)

Biu Plateau | Jos Plateau

Rwanda (1 volcano)

Sabinyo

São Tomé and Príncipe (1 volcano)

Sao Tome

Saudi Arabia (14 volcanoes)

Al Harrah | Harrat 'Uwayrid | Harrat al Birk | Harrat ar Rahah | Harrat Ash Shaam | Harrat Hutaymah | Harrat Ithnayn | Harrat Khaybar | Harrat Kishb | Harrat Lunayyir | Harrat Rahat | Jabal Baqarah | Jabal Yar | Jibal al Haylah

Senegal (1 volcano)

Cap-Vert

Sudan (5 volcanoes)

Bayuda Volcanic Field | Jebel Marra | Jebel Umm Arafieb | Kutum Volcanic Field | Meidob Volcanic Field

Tanzania (23 volcanoes)

Uganda (9 volcanoes)

Bufumbira | Bunyaruguru | Fort Portal | Katunga | Katwe-Kikorongo | Kyatwa | Muhavura | Sabinyo

Yemen (11 volcanoes)

Bir Borhut | Harra es-Sawâd | Harra of Arhab | Harra of Bal Haf | Harras of Dhamar | Jabal el-Marha | Jabal Haylan | Hanish | Jebel al-Tair | Jebel Zubair | Zukur

Significant volcanic eruptions: Africa and the Red Sea

In historic times, at least 31 volcanoes have been active in Africa and the Red Sea, including Nyamuragira, Ol Doinyo Lengai, and Jebel Zubair volcanoes. A total of 157 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since around 450 BC.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events in Africa and the Red Sea since around 2000.
DateVolcanoVEIRegionDeathsDamage
2018 Apr 18 - ongoingNyamuragira
Summit caldera
0DRCongo
2002 May 17 ? - ongoingNyiragongo2DRCongo
1967 or before - ongoingErta Ale0Danakil depression, Ethiopia
2017 Apr 9 - ongoingOl Doinyo Lengai
North Crater
0Tanzania
2021 May 22
(eruption 2002 May 17 ? - ongoing)
Nyiragongo2DRCongo32
heavy
Info
2016 Nov 27 - 2017 May 2Nyamuragira
Summit crater
0DRCongo
2016 Sep 21 or before - Oct 13 or laterOl Doinyo Lengai
North Crater
0Tanzania
2014 Jun 22 - 2016 May 14Nyamuragira
Summit crater
0DRCongo
2015 Jun 20 or before - Aug 24 or laterOl Doinyo Lengai
North Crater
0Tanzania
2011 or before - 2014 Jul 15 ±10 d.Ol Doinyo Lengai
North Crater
0Tanzania
2013 Sep 28 - Nov 20Jebel Zubair
Jadid Island
2Yemen
2011 Jun 13 - 2012 Jun 3 ?Nabro
Summit crater and NW flank
4Eritrea
2011 Nov 6 - 2012 Mar 16 ?Nyamuragira
NW flank
2DRCongo
2011 Dec 18 - 2012 Jan 12Jebel Zubair
Sholan Island
2Yemen
2011 Jan 4 ±3 d.Dallol
Dallol crater
0Danakil desert, Ethiopia
2007 Jun 16 ±15 d. - 2010 Oct 9 ±1 d.Ol Doinyo Lengai
North Crater
3Tanzania
2010 Jan 2 - Jan 29Nyamuragira
Summit caldera and SSE flank
1?DRCongo
2009 Jun 28 - Jul 1 ?Manda Hararo2?Danakil depression, Ethiopia
2008 Nov 3 - Dec 16 ±15 d.Dalafilla
W and NW of Dalaffilla
3?Erta Ale range (Danakil
2007 Sep 30 - 2008 Jun 16 ±15 d.Jebel al-Tair3?Yemen
2007 Sep 30Jebel al-Tair0Yemen7
Info
2007 Aug 12 - Aug 14 ?Manda Hararo2Danakil depression, Ethiopia
2006 Nov 27 - Dec 5 ?Nyamuragira
South flank
2DRCongo
1994 Sep 18 - 2006 Jul 16 ±15 d.Ol Doinyo Lengai
North Crater
1Tanzania
2005 Sep 26 - Sep 29Dabbahu
NE flank (Da'Ure)
3?Ethiopia
2004 May 8 - May 28 ±3 d.Nyamuragira
Summit and NNW flank
2?DRCongo
2002 Jul 25 - Sep 16 ±15 d.Nyamuragira
Summit caldera, north & south flanks
2?DRCongo
2002 Jan 17 - Feb 3 or laterNyiragongo
South flank (2800-1570 m), summit crater
1DRCongo
2002 Jan 17
(eruption 2002 Jan 17 - Feb 3 or later)
Nyiragongo1DRCongo100
heavy
Info
2001 Feb 6 - Apr 5 ±4 d.Nyamuragira
North and SSE flanks
2?DRCongo
2000 May 28 - Sep 15 ±5 d.Cameroon
Upper SW flank (4000, 3470-3220, 2750 m)
2?Cameroon
2000 Jan 27 - Feb 10 or laterNyamuragira
SE flank (Ngerageze)
2?DRCongo
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

Africa and the Red Sea FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption in Africa and the Red Sea?

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption in Africa and the Red Sea?

+How often do volcanoes in Africa and the Red Sea erupt?

+How active are the volcanoes in Africa and the Red Sea?

+When was the largest volcanic eruption in Africa and the Red Sea?

Latest earthquakes: Africa and the Red Sea

In the past 7 days, Africa and the Red Sea was shaken by 7 quakes of magnitude 4.0 or above, 8 quakes between 3.0 and 4.0, and 12 quakes between 2.0 and 3.0. There were also 44 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel.
A magnitude 4.5 quake was felt in Indian Ocean, Kenya .
Magnitude 4.5 Earthquake Indian Ocean, Kenya reported felt -
Date and TimeMag / DepthNearest Volcano / Location
Apr 29, 02:01 am (GMT +3)
4.2

19 km
180 km (112 mi) S ofSomalia: 141 km SE of Aden, Yemen  I FELT IT Info
Apr 29, 01:13 am (GMT +3)
4.3

10 km
188 km (117 mi) S of140 km SE of Aden, Yemen  I FELT IT Info
Apr 29, 12:59 am (GMT +3)
4.3

10 km
183 km (114 mi) S of152 km SE of Aden, Yemen  I FELT IT Info
Sunday, April 27, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 27, 04:17 pm (Nairobi)
4.5

10 km
250 km (155 mi) E ofIndian Ocean, 27 km northeast of Kilifi, Kilifi, KenyaI FELT IT - 16 reportsInfo
Saturday, April 26, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Apr 26, 07:17 am (GMT +3)
4.4

10 km
171 km (106 mi) S of127 km southeast of Aden, Governorate Number One, YemenI FELT IT Info
Apr 26, 06:49 am (GMT +3)
4.6

10 km
173 km (107 mi) S of138 km SE of Aden, Yemen  I FELT IT Info

Volcanoes in Africa

Adapted from: Simpkin and Siebert, 1994, Volcanoes of the World:
Africa is the only region other than the Mediterranean with an historically dated B.C. eruption (at Mount Cameroon, observed by a passing Carthaginian navigator in the 5th century B.C.). By the 15th centuray A.D., however, when Portuguese exploration of Africa had begun and Vasco de Gama sailed to India via the Cape of Good Hope, only 2 more eruptions had been recorded, both from Ethiopia. In the next 3 and two-thirds centuries, another 20 some eruptions were recorded, but the main historical record of the continent began with the opening of the Suez Canal at the end of 1869, and the heyday of African exploration that followed.
Most African volcanoes result from hotspots, the rifting in East Africa, or a combination of the two. The East African rift, one of the world's most dramatic extensional structures, has produced the continent's highest and lowest volcanoes, ranging from the massive Kilimanjaro to vents in Ethiopia's Danakil Depression that lie below sea level.
Two neighboring volcanoes in Zaire's (today's Democratic Republic of the Congo) Virunga National Park, Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo, are responsible for nearly two-fifths of Africa's historical eruptions.

The East African Rift Valley

Map of East Africa showing some of the historically active volcanoes (red triangles) and the Afar Triangle (shaded, center) -- a so-called triple junction (or triple point), where three plates are pulling away from one another: the Arabian Plate, and the two parts of the African Plate (the Nubian and the Somalian) splitting along the East African Rift Zone.
Map of East Africa showing some of the historically active volcanoes (red triangles) and the Afar Triangle (shaded, center) -- a so-called triple junction (or triple point), where three plates are pulling away from one another: the Arabian Plate, and the two parts of the African Plate (the Nubian and the Somalian) splitting along the East African Rift Zone.

From: Kious and Tilling, 1996, This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics: USGS Online version 1.08



In East Africa, spreading processes have already torn Saudi Arabia away from the rest of the African continent, forming the Red Sea. The actively splitting African Plate and the Arabian Plate meet in what geologists call a triple junction, where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden. A new spreading centre may be developing under Africa along the East African Rift Zone. When the continental crust stretches beyond its limits, tension cracks begin to appear on the Earth's surface. Magma rises and squeezes through the widening cracks, sometimes to erupt and form volcanoes. The rising magma, whether or not it erupts, puts more pressure on the crust to produce additional fractures and, ultimately, the rift zone.
East Africa may be the site of the Earth's next major ocean. Plate interactions in the region provide scientists an opportunity to study first hand how the Atlantic may have begun to form about 200 million years ago. Geologists believe that, if spreading continues, the three plates that meet at the edge of the present-day African continent will separate completely; allowing the Indian Ocean to flood the area and making the easternmost corner of Africa (the Horn of Africa) a large island.


Volcanoes & Earthquakes - new app for Android
Guaranteed tours
9-25 Jun 2025: Volcanoes and Spices - Sulawesi/Halmahera (Indonesia)
7-22 Jul 2025: From Krakatau to Bali - Java (Indonesia)
7-23 Jul 2025: Volcanoes and Spices - Sulawesi/Halmahera (Indonesia)
1-17 Aug 2025: Volcanoes and Spices - Sulawesi/Halmahera (Indonesia)
1-14 Oct 2025: Desert, salt and volcanoes - Danakil desert (Ethiopia)
4-12 Oct 2025: From Stromboli to Etna - Sicily and Eolian Islands (Italy)
6-21 Oct 2025: From Krakatau to Bali - Java (Indonesia)
3-19 Nov 2025: Volcanoes and Spices - Sulawesi/Halmahera (Indonesia)
= spaces available   = guaranteed   = few spaces left   = booked out
Latest news
Wed, 30 Apr 2025, 03:48

Erta Ale volcano (Danakil depression, Ethiopia): lava returned to northern pit crater, elevated activity continues

Lava overflows on the summit vent (image: Enku Mulugeta)
A new lava effusion phase commenced at the volcano and is still continuing constantly since 2 April. ... Read all
Thu, 3 Apr 2025, 02:00

Nyamulagira volcano (DR Congo) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 19 March-25 March 2025 (Continuing Activity)

Satellite images acquired on 17 and 22 March showed continuing activity at Nyamuragira. A bright thermal anomaly just NE of the central part of the summit crater was visible in both images, along with surrounding elevated temperatures on the E half of the crater floor, likely from lava flows. Although weather and volcanic gas plumes obscured most of the W flank, a small incandescent spot from an active lava flow on the upper W flank was visible in the 17 March image. ... Read all
Schematic map of Africa's most active volcanoes
Schematic map of Africa's most active volcanoes
Try our free app!
Volcanoes & Earthquakes - new app for Android
Android | iOS version

More on VolcanoDiscovery

Why is there advertising on this site?

Support us - Help us upgrade our services!

We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world. Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources.
We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please make a donation (PayPal).

Planned features:Thanks to your past donations, these features have been added recently:
Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online:
Android | IOS
Thank you!
Sources: VolcanoDiscovery / VolcanoAdventures and other sources as noted.
Use of material: Most text and images on our websites are owned by us. Re-use is generally not permitted without authorization. Contact us for licensing rights.
Volcanoes & Earthquakes
VolcanoDiscovery Home
Volcanoes | Earthquakes | Photos | Volcano News | | Shop | App
Adventure & Study Travel
Tours to Volcanoes and Volcanic Areas: walking tours, photo tours, study tours
Tours & Dates | FAQ | About us
Get our newsletter!
Company info
Contact | Legal info | Terms & conditions
Follow us
Follow us on facebook Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Twitter Visit our Youtube channel
EN | DE | EL | ES | FR | IT | RU
VolcanoDiscovery GmbH, Germany, Reg. nr.: HRB 103744, EU Tax Id: DE 297 465 123 owned and created by
Dr. Tom Pfeiffer, volcanologist, volcano photographer, tour organizer member of
IAVCEI
IAVCEI
Vulkanologische Gesellschaft
Volcanological Society
Ecotourism Greece
Ecotourism Greece
RUV insurance
Insured by R+V
VolcanoDiscovery © 2004- All Rights Reserved | Privacy - Cookie Settings