Kyejo

Stratovolcano in Tanzania

Last Eruption: 1800

Key Facts

Elevation

2,176 m (7,139 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-9.229°, 33.792°

Region

Rukwa Rift Volcanic Province

Rock Type

Trachyte / Trachydacite

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Late-stage activity of the Kyejo (Kieyo) trachytic stratovolcano, NW of Lake Malawi (Lake Nyassa), consisted of the formation of numerous maars and cinder cones. This stratovolcano is elongated in a NW-SE direction and has been active since the mid-Pleistocene. Maars, some of which contain lakes, surround the area, and young basaltic cinder cones and lava flows cover an extensive area to the south.

The latest eruption around 1800 CE took place from two tephritic cones, Sarabwe and Fiteko, that were constructed along a NW-trending fissure. The eruption produced lava flows that traveled 8 km and overran several villages.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate

Infrastructure RiskModerate

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Trachyte / Trachydacite

Silica Content

Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone

Continental rift or intraplate setting with varied eruptive styles.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Eruption Observed

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	226 years ago	Historical	Historically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

•Smithsonian ID: 222170
•Evidence: Eruption Observed
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

The Kyejo volcanic complex (also spelled Kieyo) is seen from Katete, an eroded volcano located 10-15 km to the NNW. Late-stage activity consisted of the formation of numerous maars and cones. The latest eruption around 1800 CE took place from two cones that were constructed along a NW-trending fissure: Sarabwe and Fiteko. The eruption produced lava flows that overran several villages.

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