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Fort Portal

Fort Portal Volcanic Field

Volcanic field · Uganda · 1615m

These grass-covered tuff cones are among the many of the Fort Portal volcanic field in Uganda. The carbonatite lavas and tuffs were erupted from about 50 cones and maars, some of which now contain crater lakes.
These grass-covered tuff cones are among the many of the Fort Portal volcanic field in Uganda. The carbonatite lavas and tuffs were erupted from about 50 cones and maars, some of which now contain crater lakes. · Photo: Photo by Nelson Eby (University of Massachusetts).
Type
Volcanic field
Country
Uganda
Region
Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions / Albertine Rift Volcanic Province
Elevation
1615m
Coordinates
0.700, 30.250
Last eruption
-2120
Tectonic setting
Rift zone / Continental crust (> 25 km)
Landform
Cluster
Major rock type
Foidite
Geological summary

The carbonatite lavas and tuffs of the Fort Portal Volcanic Field in Uganda, NE of Mount Ruwenzori between Lake Albert and Lake Edward, consists of a group of tuff cones and maars covering an area of about 145 km2. About 50 volcanic vents, some of which now contain crater lakes, were erupted through Precambrian gneiss in an WSW-ENE-trending area north of the town of Fort Portal. Several additional vents are located in the Kasekere (Rusekere) area to the NE. Radiocarbon dates of about 4,700-4,000 years ago were obtained from ash deposits in the volcanic field. Holmes (1950) noted that Kasensankaranga Crater in the Fort Portal area means "spewer of roasted material," implying observed activity.

Eruption history

Summary (VEI over time)
Click a bar to see individual eruptions
2750 BCE~2687 BCE · 1 eruptions · max VEI ?2183 BCE~2120 BCE · 1 eruptions · max VEI ?2750 BCE2624 BCE2435 BCE2309 BCE2183 BCE

Detailed timeline

  1. 2120 BCE (±100 yrs)VEI ?Geological estimate
    BCE 2120 – Ongoing
  2. 2750 BCE (±75 yrs)VEI ?Geological estimate
    BCE 2750 – Ongoing

External links

⚠ For reference only. Not for emergency response.