Harrat Rahat volcano
Updated: Jul 6, 2022 05:36 GMT - Refresh
volcanic field 1744 m / 5,722 ft
western Saudi Arabia, 23.08°N / 49.78°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
western Saudi Arabia, 23.08°N / 49.78°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Harrat Rahat is Saudi Arabia's largest lava field and comprises an area of 20,000 sq km, extending for 300 km at an average width of 60 km south of the holy city of Al Madinah (Medina).
Historic eruptions have occurred near Medina, notably one in 1256 AD.
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Harrat Rahat volcano eruptions: 1292 (?), 1256, 641 AD
Lastest nearby earthquakes: No recent earthquakes
Background
The field which is progressively younger towards the north contains mostly basaltic scoria cones and lava flows reaching up to 100 km from the rift axis. However, the volcanic field also erupted some more silicic trachy-basaltic to trachytic magmas, which formed small lava domes with associated pyroclastic-flow and -surge deposits.1256 AD eruption
The best-known eruption of Harrat Rahat was in 1256 AD and produced about 500 million m3 of lava flows from 6 vents aligned on the eruptive fissure. The lava flows traveled 23 km and came to within 4 km of Medina.
The best-known eruption of Harrat Rahat was in 1256 AD and produced about 500 million m3 of lava flows from 6 vents aligned on the eruptive fissure. The lava flows traveled 23 km and came to within 4 km of Medina.
See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS
