Karthala

The Karthala is a Volcan located in the archipelago of the the Comoros on the island of the Grande Comore. Culminating with 2 361 m, it is of standard hawaïen. Its Caldeira, which makes about 3,5 km out of 2,5 km, is one of largest world in activity. Two principal craters were formed there: Choungou Chahalé and Choungou Chagnouméni. Its eruptive frequency since the beginning of the 20th century is approximately 11 years, but the activity increased since 2005 since several eruptions took place. Even if the risks of collapse of ground remain higher than the risks related to castings, this volcano could prove very dangerous. It is supervised permanently by a Comorian team and a team réunionnaise. It is about a Volcan shield which occupies the 2/3 of the island (the third remaining being formed by the Solid mass of the Grid, volcanic solid mass in sleep).

Its first rise at summer made by Dr. Kresten in 1883.

History

1828 : first indexed eruption
1883: the eruption made many deaths
1904: the eruption made many deaths
August 1918: major phreatic eruption with plume of dust until 4 000 m and gas explosion sulfur.
April 1977: magmatic eruption in low altitude which begins on April 5th above Singani, a village of the area of Hambou located at the south of the island, to approximately 20 km of Moroni. The lava flow goes down to the sea, destroying part of the villages of Singani and Hetsa but without making victim.
July 11th 1991: phreatic eruption preceded by a very strong seismic activity. A powerful explosion increases Choungou Chahalé and an acid lake of water is formed at the bottom of the crater. Sulphuretted gas odors are felt in Moroni.
April 16th 2005: phreatomagmatic eruption in Choungou Chahalé, the lake of water is vaporized and a lake of lava takes its place. It lasts 2 days before hardening, and a month later, water is of return to the bottom of the crater. Ashes resulting from the explosion fall down on most of the island. Several villages particularly touched by the phenomenon are evacuated.
November 24th 2005: eruption identical to that of April 16th, vaporization of the water replaced by a lake of lava which remains active 2 weeks. Rain of ashes on all the island. No reformation of the water lake.
May 28th 2006: magmatic eruption in Choungou Chahalé, active lake of lava during 3 days.

Bond external

http://volcano.ipgp.jussieu.fr:8080/karthala/stationkar.html
http://www.comores-online.com/karthala/
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/img_karthala.html
http://www.holambecomores.com/public/rubrique59.html

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