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Manzaz Volcanic Field

Volcanic field in Algeria

Key Facts

Elevation

1,672 m (5,486 ft)

Type

Volcanic field

Location

23.920°, 5.830°

Region

West Central Sahara Volcanic Province

Rock Type

Trachybasalt / Tephrite Basanite

Tectonic Setting

Intraplate

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The Manzaz volcanic field, north of the Atakor volcanic field in the Hoggar (Ahaggar) volcanic province of Algeria, consists of a large number of scoria cones and associated lava flows. The field covers an area of 1,500 km2, overlying Precambrian metamorphic and plutonic rocks of the Tuareg shield. Many cones are breached, and the dominantly basaltic and basanitic volcanic products are rich in peridotite and pyroxenite xenoliths and megacrysts.

The youngest volcanoes rest on Neolithic terraces and are of Holocene age.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

    Risk Level

    Population at RiskModerate
    Infrastructure RiskModerate
    Aviation RiskSignificant

    Geological Composition & Structure

    Rock Types

    Primary
    Trachybasalt / Tephrite Basanite
    Silica Content
    Varied composition

    Tectonic Setting

    Intraplate
    Continental rift or intraplate setting with varied eruptive styles.

    Age & Formation

    Epoch
    Holocene
    Evidence
    Evidence Credible

    Eruption Statistics & Analysis

    MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
    Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
    Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
    Recent ActivityUnknownHistoricalHistorically active

    Monitoring & Alert Status

    Monitoring Networks

    Global Volcanism Program
    International eruption database

    Current Status

    Normal
    No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

    Nearby Volcanoes in Northern Africa Volcanic Regions

    Regional Volcanic Activity
    The Northern 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: 225006
    • •Evidence: Evidence Credible
    • •Epoch: Holocene

    About the Photo

    This NASA Landsat false-color image shows small scoria cones and lava flows of the Manzaz volcanic field in the Hoggar (Ahaggar) volcanic district of Algeria. The volcanic field covers an area of 1,500 km2, overlying Precambrian metamorphic and plutonic rocks of the Tuareg shield. The youngest volcanoes rest on Neolithic terraces and are of Holocene age.

    NASA Landsat 7 image (worldwind.arc.nasa.gov)

    Authority Sources

    Smithsonian GVP
    Official volcano database
    USGS Volcano Hazards
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Global Volcanism Program
    Smithsonian Institution

    Related Volcanoes

    In Algeria:
    All Japan Volcanoes
    105 active volcanoes
    By Type:
    Caldera Volcanoes
    Large collapse features
    By Region:
    Kuril Volcanic Arc
    Subduction zone volcanoes

    Basic Information

    This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.