Wau-en-Namus Volcano
Updated: May 16, 2024 19:08 GMT -
Caldera 547 m / 1,795 ft
Libya, 25.05°N / 17.55°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Libya, 25.05°N / 17.55°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
[smaller] [larger]
Wau-en-Namus volcano eruptions: unknown, no recent eruptions
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Time | Mag. / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
Background
The isolated Wau-en-Namus volcanic field (also spelled Waw an Namous or Uaw en Namus) lies in the Sahara desert of south-central Libya, south of the Haruj volcanic field. A 4-km-wide, 100-m-deep caldera contains a post-caldera scoria cone, Wau-en-Namus. An apron of dark basaltic tephra extends 10-20 km around the caldera in stark contrast to the light-colored desert sand prominent in satellite views. Three small salt lakes of variable color contribute to the name of the volcano, which means "Oasis of Mosquitoes." The youthful appearance of the central cone has suggested it may be as young as a few thousand years, although the arid climate may mask its actual age. Yellow sulfur deposits are found in the 150-m-wide crater. Other basaltic lava flows occur several tens of km NW of the volcano.---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Wau-en-Namus Volcano Photos
Young cinder cone at Wau-an-Namus in the Lybian desert (Photo: Uwe Ehlers / geoart.eu)
Young cinder cone at Wau-an-Namus in the Lybian desert (Photo: Uwe Ehlers / geoart.eu)
Latest satellite images
