Tanzania Volcanoes
A map display is currently under development.
Tanzania has 6 Holocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Bolded volcanoes have erupted within the past 20 years. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Last Eruption | Volcanic Region | Primary Landform |
---|---|---|---|
Igwisi Hills | 10450 BCE | Albertine Rift Volcanic Province | Cluster |
Kyejo | 1800 CE | Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 2025 CE | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Meru | 1910 CE | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Ngozi | 1450 CE | Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province | Caldera |
Rungwe | 1250 CE | Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Chronological listing of known Holocene eruptions (confirmed or uncertain) from volcanoes in Tanzania. Bolded eruptions indicate continuing activity.
Volcano Name | Start Date | Stop Date | Certainty | VEI | Evidence |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 2017 Apr 9 | 2025 Feb 6 (continuing) | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 2016 Sep 21 (on or before) | 2016 Oct 13 (on or after) | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 2015 Jun 20 (on or before) | 2015 Aug 24 (on or after) | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 2011 Jun 22 (in or before) | 2014 Jul 15 ± 10 days | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 2007 Jun 16 ± 15 days | 2010 Oct 9 (?) ± 1 days | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1994 Sep 18 | 2006 Jul 16 (?) ± 15 days | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1983 Jan 1 | 1993 Sep 24 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | [1969 Jul 16 (?) ± 15 days] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1967 Jul 8 | 1967 Sep 4 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1960 Mar 16 (on or before) ± 15 days | 1966 Nov 28 ± 30 days | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1958 Feb 6 (on or before) | Unknown | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1955 Jan 19 | 1955 Jan 20 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1954 Jul 26 ± 5 days | 1954 Sep 16 ± 15 days | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1940 Jul 24 | 1941 Feb | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1926 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1921 Feb | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1916 Dec 1 ± 30 days | 1917 Jun | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1914 Aug 15 ± 270 days | 1915 | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1913 | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Meru | 1910 Oct 26 | 1910 Dec 22 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1907 ± 3 years | 1910 Aug 4 (on or after) | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1904 | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Meru | 1886 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1882 | 1883 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1880 Dec | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Meru | 1878 ± 1 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Kyejo | 1800 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Ngozi | 1450 ± 40 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1350 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Rungwe | 1250 ± 40 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 0700 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 0050 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Rungwe | 0050 BCE ± 100 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Ol Doinyo Lengai | 1550 BCE ± 1500 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Rungwe | 2050 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 5 | Correlation: Tephrochronology |
Meru | 5850 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Ngozi | 8250 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 5 | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
Igwisi Hills | 10450 BCE ± 4800 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: Cosmic Ray Exposure |
Tanzania has 17 Pleistocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Volcanic Region | Primary Volcano Type |
---|---|---|
Burko | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Embagai | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Caldera |
Gelai | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Shield |
Hanang | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Izumbwe-Mpoli | Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province | Minor |
Katete | Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Kerimasi | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Ketumbeine | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Shield |
Kilimanjaro | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Kwaraha | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Loolmalasin | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Ngorongoro | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Caldera |
Olmoti | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Caldera |
Sadiman | Kenyan Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
SW Usangu Basin | Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province | Cluster |
Tukuyu | Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province | Shield |
Usangu Scarp Basalt | Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province | Minor |
There are 28 photos available for volcanoes in Tanzania.

Photo by Tom Jorstad, 1991 (Smithsonian Institution).

Photo by Gordon Davies, 1966 (courtesy of Celia Nyamweru, Kenyatta University).

Photo by Frederick Belton, 2004 (Tennessee State University).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1988.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1977.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1977.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1977.

Photo by Peterson, 1980 (courtesy of Celia Nyamweru, Kenyatta University).

Photo by Gordon Davies, 1966 (courtesy of Celia Nyamweru, Kenyatta University).

Photo by Gordon Davies, 1966 (courtesy of Celia Nyamweru, Kenyatta University).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1977.

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2020 (https://www.planet.com/).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1988.

Photo by Karen Fontijn, 2008 (University of Ghent).

Photo by Fred Trott, 1984 (courtesy of Celia Nyamweru, Kenyatta University).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1988.

Photo by Tom Jorstad, 1990 (Smithsonian Institution).

Photo by Karen Fontijn, 2008 (University of Ghent).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1977.

Photo by BenoƮt Wilhelmi, 2008.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1977.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1977.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1988.

Photo by David Williamson, CNRS, France.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1976.

Photo by Karen Fontijn, 2008 (University of Ghent).

Photo by Dick Moss, 1961 (courtesy of Celia Nyamweru, Kenyatta University).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1977.
This is a compilation of Tanzania volcano information sources, such as official monitoring or other government agencies.
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center | |
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Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Notices and Archive |