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Atakor

Atakor Volcanic Field

Volcanic field · Algeria · 2918m

The bluish-gray area at the center of this NASA Landsat image and areas at the upper right are part of the massive Atakor volcanic field. These volcanics cover an area of 2,150 km2 and includes lava domes and abundant basaltic scoria cones and lava flows. Historical pottery has been found within lava flows in the Tahifet area, and oral traditions of the Tuareg people also suggest that eruptions were witnessed. The prominent lineament at the far left is the Inter-terrane Pan-African shear zone.
The bluish-gray area at the center of this NASA Landsat image and areas at the upper right are part of the massive Atakor volcanic field. These volcanics cover an area of 2,150 km2 and includes lava domes and abundant basaltic scoria cones and lava flows. Historical pottery has been found within lava flows in the Tahifet area, and oral traditions of the Tuareg people also suggest that eruptions were witnessed. The prominent lineament at the far left is the Inter-terrane Pan-African shear zone. · Photo: NASA Landsat 7 image (worldwind.arc.nasa.gov) · Wikimedia Commons
Type
Volcanic field
Country
Algeria
Region
Northern Africa Volcanic Regions / West Central Sahara Volcanic Province
Elevation
2918m
Coordinates
23.330, 5.830
Last eruption
Unknown
Tectonic setting
Intraplate / Continental crust (> 25 km)
Landform
Cluster
Major rock type
Trachybasalt / Tephrite Basanite
Geological summary

The massive Atakor volcanic field is the largest in the Hoggar (or Ahaggar) volcanic province of southern Algeria and covers an area of 2,150 km2. Quaternary basaltic (mostly basanitic) scoria cones and lava flows lie near older trachytic and phonolitic lava domes and volcanic necks that form some of the most dramatic scenery of northern Africa. The latest stage of activity began around 1.95 million years and continued almost to the present. Lava flows cover Holocene lake sediments dated at about 10,000 BP and alluvial terraces in which Neolithic artifacts have been found. Pottery has been found within lava flows in the Tahifet area, and oral traditions of the Tuareg people suggest that eruptions were witnessed. Sporadic fumaroles and persistent small-scale seismicity have been reported.

From Wikipedia

Atakor volcanic field is a volcanic field in Algeria. It lies in the Hoggar mountains and consists of a variety of volcanic features such as lava flows and about 450 individual vents.

Wikipedia · CC BY-SA · Read full article →

Eruption history

Detailed timeline

No eruption records available.

External links

⚠ For reference only. Not for emergency response.