Mount Meru (Tanzania)

Mount Meru
Mount Meru, October 2002
Elevation	4,565 m (14,977 ft) [1]
Prominence	3,170 m (10,400 ft) [1]
Listing	Ultra
Location
Mount Meru Location in Tanzania
Location	Arusha Region  Tanzania
Coordinates	3°14′48″S 36°44′54″E / 3.24667°S 36.74833°E / -3.24667; 36.74833Coordinates: 3°14′48″S 36°44′54″E / 3.24667°S 36.74833°E / -3.24667; 36.74833[1]
Geology
Type	Stratovolcano
Last eruption	1910[2]
Climbing
First ascent	1904 by Fritz Jäger[3]
Easiest route	Hike

Mount Meru is an active stratovolcano located 70 kilometres (43 mi) west of Mount Kilimanjaro in the nation of Tanzania. At a height of 4,565 metres (14,977 ft), it is visible from Mt Kilimanjaro on a clear day,^[4] and is the tenth highest mountain in Africa. Much of its bulk was lost about 8,000^{[citation needed]} years ago due to an eastward volcanic blast, similar to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in the U.S. state of Washington. 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 ash cone that has formed in the old crater.

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.

At the summit, one can find a two metre high flag of Tanzania in a metal and concrete milestone reading "Socialist Peak 4562.13M" written.

As seen from Mount Kilimanjaro, 3D computer generated image

See also

• Geography of Tanzania
• List of volcanoes in Tanzania
• List of Ultras of Africa

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Africa Ultra-Prominences Peaklist.org. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
2. ^ ^{a b} "Meru". Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0202-16=. 
3. ^ Mount Meru at SummitPost.org
4. ^ A view of Mount Meru from Mount Kilimanjaro

External links

• Mount Meru at Peakware
• Satellite pictures of Mount Meru
• trekkingvisions Information about the Mount Meru Trek

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  Topography of Mount Meru

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  Mount Meru and Ngurdoto Crater (image top) from space

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  View from Mt Meru towards Mt Kilimanjaro

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  View from Arusha Town

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  Mt Meru from Momella gate

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  Mt Meru from Machame Hut

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  Sunrise on Mt Kili from the summit of Mt Meru

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  Image of Mt. Meru taken from Kilimanjaro

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  Mt. Meru viewed from Kilimanjaro's summit