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Volcanic Cones of Kilimanjaro – Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the African continent and the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, rising to an elevation of 5,895 meters above sea level. The mountain has three main volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.

Mount Kilimanjaro and its surrounding areas were declared a national park in 1973 to protect its unique environment, which encompasses five distinctive climatic zones. The park was later designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Mount Kilimanjaro is famous among the Seven Summits and attracts approximately 30,000 tourists annually because it doesn’t require technical skills or mountaineering gear to reach its highest peak. There hasn’t been any significant eruption on Mount Kilimanjaro to expose its igneous rock strata, which make up the volcano’s structure, so the mountain hasn’t been thoroughly studied.

Peaks of Kilimanjaro

There are three peaks at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, which are described below:

Kibo (Uhuru Peak)

Kibo is the highest and youngest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, characterized by a typical volcanic cone and crater shape. Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 meters above sea level, is the highest point within the Kibo crater. The saddle plateau, measuring 24 kilometers wide, surrounds Kibo, and there are over 250 parasitic cones in the area.

While the other two peaks, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct, Kibo is considered dormant and could potentially erupt in the future, according to scientists. The last volcanic activity recorded at Kibo was 200 years ago, with the last major eruption occurring 360,000 years ago, resulting in the formation of the summit crater. Approximately 100,000 years ago, a portion of the crater collapsed, creating the Great Barranco and the Western Breach.

Gas is often emitted from the fumaroles at Kibo crater, and its symmetrical cone features escarpments that are 2.5 kilometers wide, rising 180 to 200 meters. Kibo has five main lava formations: Aphyric, Phonotephrites, Phonolite, Porphyritic, and Tephriphonolites.

Kibo is connected to Mawenzi by an 11-kilometer saddle at 4,500 meters. Only Kibo maintains a permanent ice cap year-round, although scientists predict that the ice will disappear by 2040. Within the Kibo caldera is an inner cone known as Reusch Crater, which has a depth of 350 meters.

The first explorers to reach Kibo Peak were Hans Meyer, a German photographer, and Ludwig Purtscheller, an Austrian mountaineer.

The name “Reusch Crater” was given to the caldera at Kibo in honor of Otto Richard Reusch by the Tanzanian government. Reusch made 25 attempts to climb Mount Kilimanjaro out of a total of 65 attempts.

Mawenzi (Hans Meyer)

Mawenzi is the second-highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro, with its eruption dating back approximately 1 million years. It rises to an elevation of 5,149 meters above sea level. Mawenzi is not as popular among hikers on Mount Kilimanjaro due to its rugged nature, steep terrain, and loose rocks, which require hikers to be physically fit and have mountaineering experience.

The first people to reach the highest point of Mawenzi were F. Klute and E. Oehler in 1912. The highest point on Mawenzi is named Hans Meyer after a German geologist.

Climbing Mawenzi on Kilimanjaro is possible, but it is extremely dangerous, and fatalities have occurred in the past. Climbers require a special permit to hike to Mawenzi Peak and should apply for this permit 1 or 2 months before the planned climb. All climbers intending to tackle Mawenzi should be experienced and equipped with the necessary technical gear required by Kilimanjaro National Park.

Shira Peak (Johnsell Point and Klute Peak)

Shira is the third-highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, and its eruption is estimated to have started 2.5 million years ago, with the last major eruption occurring 1.9 million years ago. Shira is also the oldest and smallest of the three peaks on the mountain.

The northern part of Shira’s edifice collapsed, and it now consists of a broad plateau on Kilimanjaro. Shira was once approximately 3,900 to 5,300 meters high, but erosion has significantly degraded it over the years. The highest point on Shira is Johnsell Point at 3,962 meters, and Klute Peak is on Shira Ridge at 3,840 meters.

Notable features within the Shira plateau include the Shira Cathedral, a massive rock mass surrounded by pyramid-shaped rocks located on a steep path that offers a challenging but short hike. The scenic Shira Ridge is situated within the plateau at 3,600 meters.

In 2014, the first wedding on Mount Kilimanjaro took place at the Shira plateau. Hikers using the Machame route for trekking can explore Shira plateau, where various summits offer spectacular views.

Best Time to Visit

Mount Kilimanjaro can be visited year-round, but the best time for hiking and mountain climbing is from June to September and from December to February when the weather is favorable.

What to Bring

Although Mount Kilimanjaro is relatively easy to climb, tourists still need to be physically fit and well-equipped for a successful ascent. Some essential items to include are waterproof hiking boots, gardening gloves, ample drinking water, sunglasses, insect repellent, sunscreen, energy-boosting snacks, long-sleeved clothing, and other necessary provisions you may require.



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