An Expert Geological Perspective
✅ Short Answer:
Mount Suswa is a dormant—but potentially active—volcano.
🔬 Understanding Volcanic Activity: What Does “Active” Mean?
In volcanology, a volcano is typically classified into one of three categories:
| Classification | Definition |
|---|---|
| Active | Erupted in the past 10,000 years and has the potential to erupt again |
| Dormant | Has not erupted recently, but retains the potential to become active |
| Extinct | Geologically unlikely to erupt again |
📍 Where Mt. Suswa Stands
🔹 Dormant but Not Extinct
Mount Suswa has not erupted in recorded history, but multiple lines of evidence suggest that it is not extinct:
- Holocene Eruptions: Geological research (e.g., Macdonald et al., 1993; Skilling, 1994) indicates that the most recent eruptions occurred within the past 1,000 years, during the Holocene epoch.
- Unweathered Lava Flows: The phonolitic flows from the inner caldera and south flank (Eululu Formation) appear geologically fresh, lacking significant soil development or erosion.
- Ongoing Geothermal Activity: Field observations report warm ground, steam vents, and fumarolic activity within the caldera’s ring trench, indicative of residual magmatic heat below the surface.
🧪 Scientific Basis for Classification
- Geochemical data: Evolved magmas (trachyte to phonolite) and compositional diversity in eruptive products signal a long-lived, complex magma system.
- Structural evidence: The presence of two nested calderas (Caldera I and Caldera II), formed by collapse events, reflect a history of magma chamber instability—a feature often linked to episodic eruptive potential.
- Regional context: Suswa is part of the active Central Kenya Rift, where other volcanoes (e.g., Mt. Longonot, Menengai) also show geothermal and volcanic signs. This tectonic environment remains seismically and thermally active.
🧭 Monitoring and Hazards
Although currently quiet, Mt. Suswa poses low-to-moderate volcanic risk. No dedicated seismic or gas monitoring system is in place, making early detection of reactivation difficult. However:
- Local Maasai communities report periodic fumarolic activity.
- The caldera and ring trench show signs of ongoing degassing.
- Future eruptions, if they occur, are likely to involve phonolitic lava flows or low-magnitude explosive events, similar to late Holocene activity.
🧠 Conclusion
Mt. Suswa is a dormant volcano with clear signs of residual geothermal activity and a recent eruptive history. It is scientifically classified as potentially active and should not be considered extinct.
As such, Suswa remains an important site for ongoing volcanological research, geothermal energy studies, and community awareness in the Kenyan Rift system.
🔥 Mount Suswa: FAQs on Volcanic Activity
❓Is Mount Suswa an active volcano?
No, Mount Suswa is not currently erupting, but it is considered dormant, not extinct. This means it has erupted in the recent geological past and could erupt again.
❓When did Mount Suswa last erupt?
Although there is no historical record, scientific studies suggest the last eruption occurred within the last 1,000 years, during the Holocene epoch. The most recent lava flows in the inner caldera and south flank appear fresh and uneroded.
❓What makes scientists think Suswa is still active?
- Geothermal features like steam vents and warm ground are present in the ring trench.
- The freshness of lava flows shows minimal weathering, suggesting recent eruptions.
- Its location in the tectonically active Gregory Rift supports continued magmatic potential.
❓What is the difference between a dormant and extinct volcano?
- A dormant volcano hasn’t erupted recently but could erupt again.
- An extinct volcano is geologically unlikely to erupt again.
Mt. Suswa is clearly dormant, given its recent activity and geothermal features.
❓Are there signs that Suswa might erupt soon?
Currently, no signs indicate an imminent eruption. There are no active seismic monitoring stations, but minor steam emissions and warm ground suggest a still-warm magmatic system.
❓How does Mt. Suswa compare to other volcanoes in the region?
Like Mount Longonot and Menengai, Suswa is part of the Kenya Rift volcano chain, all of which show ongoing geothermal activity. These volcanoes are considered dormant but potentially active.
❓Should nearby communities be concerned?
The volcanic risk is currently low, but Suswa’s dormant status means it is not completely safe. Local communities and scientists should remain aware of its potential, especially due to lack of continuous monitoring.
❓Has Suswa been studied in detail by scientists?
Yes. Key research by Baker et al. (1988), Skilling (1994), and Macdonald et al. (1993) has mapped its structure, eruption history, and petrology. These studies help assess its future hazard potential.
❓Is Mt. Suswa used for geothermal energy?
While not currently exploited, Suswa is geothermally active and is being evaluated for geothermal potential, similar to nearby sites like Olkaria.