Historical And Structural Geology Of Kilimanjaro Africa
Geology > More in this Category > Geography > Volcanic Centres > National Park Fauna > Low Slope Fauna > High Slope Fauna > Summit Fauna
The structural geology of Mount Kilimanjaro is an interesting one due to the fact that Kilimanjaro is no ordinary mountain, but rather an enormous stratovocano. Stratovolcanoes are formed when erupted ash and cinders mix with lava flows and cool to produce a steep conical formation. These types of volcanoes usually take tens of thousands of years to materialize and may consist of a number of lava forms including dacite, basalt and andesite to name but a few.
On the Marangu Route you will more than likely come across a number of small cone shaped hills. These are known as 'parasitic cones' and are quite simply formations that are the product of offshoots of the main lava flow. In the event that you elect to do the optional Saddle Walk, you will pass a cliff face that appears to be stained with black and white stripes. Entitled Zebra Rock, this unusually patterned formation is the result of mineral rich rain water flowing down from the rocks above and streaking the almost black lava cliff white in places.
The formations on Kilimanjaro are not limited to volcanic rock alone, but also include incredibly impressive glacial configurations. While the sheets of ice on the mountain reflect the sun's rays from above, typical Weather Patterns on the mountain ensure the heat from the ground melts the ice from below, resulting in the formation of intricate undercuts and overhangs.
Thousands of years ago, whole sheets of ice covered the mountain all the way down to almost 3000 feet. Today they can be seen only near the peak, and scientist predict that sadly within the next 15 years the snow cap may just disappear completely, confining the sight of the Great White Mountain to the pages of literature and the memories of those lucky enough to see it in it's glory.
The Kilimanjaro Experience
