Kitumbeine Volcano Explained

Kitumbeine
Photo Size:270
Elevation M:2,850
Coordinates:-2.8795°N 36.211°W
Country Type:Country
Subdivision2:Arusha Region
Length Orientation:north-south
Type:Shield
Last Eruption:Pleistocene
Volcanic Region:Crater Highlands
Access:Public

Kitumbeine Volcano also known as Kitumbeine (Mlima Kitumbeine, in Swahili) at 2,850m is a shield volcano located in Longido District of Arusha Region in Tanzania.[1] It stands at . The volcano is shared amongst three wards of Longido District, namely; Elang'ata Dapash, Kitumbeine and Iloirienito wards. The volcano is located in the geographic area known as the Crater Highlands and is a shield volcano that last erupted in the Pleistocene.[2] Ketumbeine volcano activity continued throughout the Pleistocene.[3]

The mountain is home to a endemic frog known as Strongylopus kitumbeine or Kitumbeine Stream Frog, which belongs to the Pyxicephalidae family. [4] The species inhabits Afromontane Juniperus forests and tussock grasslands at elevations ranging from 2100m-2800mm (6,900feet-9,200feetm) above sea level along semi-permanent and seasonal streams and around temporary pools. It can also survive in poorly disturbed forest. Breeding occurs in open water. While it is common within its restricted range, it has been classified as a vulnerable species due to threats from Maasai livestock grazing and fire, as well as its small range.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Global Volcanism Program, 2023. St. Helens (321050) in [Database] Volcanoes of the World (v. 5.0.3; 1 Mar 2023). Distributed by Smithsonian Institution, compiled by Venzke, E. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.VOTW5-2022.5.0
  2. Web site: Smithsonian, Kitumbeine overview. 2023-03-26.
  3. Dawson J B, 1992. Neogene tectonics and volcanicity in the North Tanzania sector of the Gregory Rift Valley: contrasts with the Kenya sector. Tectonophysics, 204: 81-92.
  4. Channing, Alan, and Tim RB Davenport. "A new stream frog from Tanzania (Anura: Ranidae: Strongylopus)." African Journal of Herpetology 51.2 (2002): 135-142.
  5. Web site: Strongylopus kitumbeine Channing and Davenport, 2002 . Frost, Darrel R. . 2016 . Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 . American Museum of Natural History . 28 September 2016.