Mount Kilimanjaro which 4 million years old, is the highest mountain in Africa which experience snowing and a major attraction to trekkers.
Interesting Facts About Mount Kilimanjaro The Highest Point Of Africa
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania and the highest volcano in Africa and the Eastern Hemisphere. It is also called a stratovolcano which is a term for a very large volcano made of ash, lava, and rock.
Kilimanjaro is made up of three cones namely Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Kibo is the summit of the mountain and the tallest of the three volcanic formations.
While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is dormant and could possibly erupt again. Scientists estimate that the last time it erupted was 360,000 years ago.
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The highest point on Kibo’s crater rim is called Uhuru, the Swahili word for “freedom.” The famous mountain is also known for its snow-capped peak which however, scientists warn that the snow might disappear within the next 20 years or so.
In 1889, German geographer Hans Meyer and Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller became the first people on record to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Since then, Kilimanjaro has become a popular hiking spot for locals and tourists.
Because mountaineering gear and experience is not needed to reach the peak, tens of thousands of climbers ascend the mountain each year. The climb is still dangerous, however, because of the risk of altitude sickness, a condition climbers experience if they ascend too quickly, which can be deadly if not treated right away.
Compared to the Mount Everest which is the highest point of the earth, Kilimanjaro is 6,384 km high if measured from the center of the earth while Everest is 6,382.3 km high measured from the center of the earth.
However, Kilimanjaro is 5,895 meters above sea level and 4,900 meters above its plateau base. Everest is 8,848 meters above sea level and roughly 5,200 meters above the sloping Tibetan base on the north side making it taller than Mount Kilimanjaro.
In 1973, the mountain and its six surrounding forest corridors were named Kilimanjaro National Park in order to protect its unique environment. The park was named a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site in 1987. A variety of animals live in the area surrounding the mountain, including the blue monkey
History and how Mount Kilimanjaro was formed
Mount Kilimanjaro’s unique geological history stems back more than four (4) million years.
This famed mountain was born of the Great Rift Valley four million years ago when Africa’s tectonic plates began to separate. These plates, which cover the surface of the Earth, constantly shifts and in the shifting process, they leave distinct geological markers in their wake.
The Formation of the Greater Rift Valley
When thinking of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Greater Rift Valley, two African plates in particular come to mind which are the Somalian Plate and the Nubian Plate. As the Somalian Plate continued to drift and pull away from the Nubian Plate three million years ago, it led to the formation of the Greater Rift Valley.
As the land began to shift and the Greater Rift Valley began to form, Mount Kilimanjaro was born. You see, as some of the Earth began to fall and depress into the valley, other bits shot upwards forming volcanoes.
As people may wonder if the Mount of Kilimanjaro is still active, the last eruption occurred around 360,000 years ago and geographers believes there is a possibility of another eruption happening on the mountain.
Importance of Mount Kilimanjaro
It is an important symbol of African culture. Kilimanjaro is a national symbol of Africa just like the Grand Canyon is in the US. It makes Africa look beautiful. Everyone thinks African scenery is ugly. Everyone thinks Africa is just ugly desert and boring savannah. But no, Africa has a majestic mountain. It is a mountain that will bring climbing tourists to Africa.
The mountain is a place for animals to cool down when they get too hot. Kilimanjaro gives people a happy feeling when they see it. This mountain will make people admire Africa. Africa is a great place other than it having extremely bad poverty, bad diseases, terrorism, danger, crime, and very bad corruption. So Kilimanjaro is important at making Africa look neat.
Getting prepared to trek on the Mount Kilimanjaro
In order to be safe and comfortable throughout your Mount Kilimanjaro climb, trekkers will need to bring this important gear and supplies with you.
Trekking Kilimanjaro involves five main climate zones, from the warm, humid forest and lower slopes, to the bitterly cold summit zone, with glaciers, ice, and snow. You need to be prepared for all the Kilimanjaro weather conditions like sunny, windy and rainy.
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