Mount Karthala
1760122
209006588
2008-04-29T15:00:56Z
Epbr123
1395162
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/24.39.224.10|24.39.224.10]] to last version by Darwinek
{{Infobox Mountain
| Name = Mount Karthala
| Photo = Karthala MODIS 20051125.jpg
| Caption = Satellite imagery of the volcano after its November 2005 eruption. Ash completely obscures Grande Comore (outlined) as well as some other islands.
| Elevation = 2,361 metres (7,746 feet)
| Location = [[Comoros]], [[Indian Ocean]]
| Prominence =
| Coordinates = {{coor d|11.75|S|43.38|E|type:mountain}}
| Topographic map =
| Type= [[Shield volcano]] (active)
| Age=
| Last eruption= 2006
| First ascent =
| Easiest route =
}}
'''Karthala''' is an active [[volcano]] and the highest point of the [[Comoros]] at {{Convert|2361|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level. It is the southernmost and largest of the two [[shield volcano]]es forming [[Grande Comore]] island, the largest [[island]] in the nation of Comoros. The Karthala volcano is notoriously active, having erupted more than 20 times since the 19th century. Frequent eruptions have shaped the volcano’s 3 by 4 km summit [[caldera]], but the island has largely escaped broad destruction. Eruptions on [[April 17]], [[2005]], and [[May 29]], [[2006]] have ended a period of quiet.
==April 2005 eruption==
The eruption, which carried a risk of [[lava flow]]s and deadly [[volcanic gas]], caused the evacuation of 40,000 residents.
The crater was clearly changed by the April 2005 eruption. A grey field of ash surrounds the crater and the [[caldera]] itself seems larger and deeper. The [[crater lake]], which formed after Karthala's last eruption in 1991 and once dominated the caldera, is now gone completely. In its place were rough, dark grey rocks, possibly cooling lava or rubble from the collapsed crater.
==May 2006 activity==
On May 29, [[Reuters]] reported that residents of [[Moroni, Comoros|Moroni]] could see lava at the top of the volcano [http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=scienceNews&storyID=2006-05-29T082108Z_01_L29707275_RTRUKOC_0_US-COMOROS-VOLCANO.xml] Within a few days the volcanic activity subsided. [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/B590859.htm]
==Flora and fauna==
The mountain is covered by moist evergreen forest up to about 1800 metres above sea-level. Higher up the vegetation consists of stunted trees and [[heathland]] where the giant heath ''[[Erica comorensis]]'' grows.
Many of the species found on the mountain are unique to the Comoros and four [[bird]] species are found only on the slopes of Mount Karthala: [[Humblot's Flycatcher]], [[Comoro White-eye]], [[Comoro Drongo]] and [[Comoro Scops Owl]].
The mountain's forest is threatened by [[logging]] and the spread of agriculture. A [[nature reserve]] has been proposed to cover the mountain but it has not yet been created.
==References==
* {{VNUM | 1=0303-01=}}
* [http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0303-01=&volpage=var#bgvn_3101 Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program: Karthala Activity Reports]
* [[World Wildlife Fund]] (2001) ''[http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at0105_full.html Comoros forests (AT0105)]''. Downloaded 27/02/07.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Karthala, Mount}}
[[Category:Volcanoes of Comoros]]
[[Category:Mountains of Comoros]]
[[Category:Shield volcanoes]]
[[Category:Active volcanoes]]
[[Category:Crater lakes]]
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