Volcano · Comoros
Karthala
Has one of the largest active craters on Earth.
Status right now
No current reports
Karthala is not in the latest Smithsonian weekly report or the GDACS volcano alerts. That usually means it is quiet, but not every change is reported straight away. For official alerts, follow the local volcano observatory.
Checked 4 Nov 2026, 22:36 UTC.
Key facts
- Country
- Comoros
- Region
- Africa
- Type
- Shield
- Summit
- 2,361 m (7,746 ft)
- Coordinates
- 11.750° S, 43.380° E
- Smithsonian number
- 233010
What kind of volcano is it?
Karthala is a shield. A shield volcano is broad and gently sloping, built from runny basalt lava that flows a long way before it cools. Eruptions are usually effusive: lava fountains and flows rather than large explosions.
Eruption history
| Date | VEI | Deaths | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Nov 2005 | 3 | 1 | – |
| 3 Jul 1991 | 2 | – | – |
| 5 Apr 1977 | 1 | 1 | – |
| 25 Feb 1904 | 2 | 1 | – |
| 1903 | – | 17 | – |
| Mar 1883 | 2 | – | – |
6 significant eruptions near Karthala in NOAA's Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, which lists eruptions that caused deaths, damage or a tsunami, or were VEI 6 or larger. VEI is the Volcanic Explosivity Index, from 0 to 8.
Nearby volcanoes
- Ol Doinyo LengaiTanzania · 1,294 km
- Piton de la FournaiseFrance (Réunion) · 1,684 km
- NyiragongoDR Congo · 1,929 km
- NyamulagiraDR Congo · 1,941 km
- Erta AleEthiopia · 2,835 km
- SantoriniGreece · 5,677 km
Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.