Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano located 70 kilometres (43 mi) west of Kilimanjaro in southeast Arusha Region, Tanzania. At a height of 4,562.13 metres (14,968 ft),[1][4] it is visible from Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day,[5] and is the fifth-highest of the highest mountain peaks of Africa, dependent on definition.
Mount Meru | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 4,562.13 m (14,967.6 ft)[1] |
Prominence | 3,170 m (10,400 ft)[1] Ranked 72nd |
Isolation | 70 km (43 mi) |
Listing | Ultra |
Coordinates | 3°14′48″S 36°44′54″E / 3.24667°S 36.74833°E[1] |
Geography | |
Location in Tanzania Mount Meru (Tanzania) (Africa) Mount Meru (Tanzania) (Earth) | |
Location | Arusha Region, Tanzania |
Geology | |
Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
Last eruption | October to December 1910[2] |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1904 by Fritz Jäger[3] |
Easiest route | Hike |
Mount Meru is located just north of the city of Arusha, in the Arusha Region of Tanzania. It is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, after Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru is also the highest mountain/point in Arusha Region. The Momella route – which starts at Momella gate, on the eastern side of the mountain – is used to climb Mount Meru.[6]
Mount Meru's lavas are alkaline in character and include nephelinite.[7] Much of the mountain's height was lost about 7,800 years ago due to a summit collapse.[8] Mount Meru most recently had a minor eruption in 1910.[2] The several small cones and craters seen in the vicinity probably reflect numerous episodes of volcanic activity. Mount Meru's caldera is 2.2 miles (3.5 km) wide.[9]
Mount Meru is the topographic centerpiece of Arusha National Park. Its fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savanna and support a forest that hosts diverse wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds, and also monkeys and leopards.
The movie Hatari! was filmed at the foot of Mountain Meru.