From Freepedia
<tr><td style="border-top:1px solid #999966; border-right:1px solid #999966" bgcolor="#e7dcc3" width=85>
Coordinates:
<td style="border-top:1px solid #999966" width=220>
3°4′ S 37°21′ E
<tr><td style="border-top:1px solid #999966; border-right:1px solid #999966" bgcolor=#e7dcc3 width=85>
Type:
<td style="border-top:1px solid #999966" width=220>
Stratovolcano
<tr><td style="border-top:1px solid #999966; border-right:1px solid #999966" bgcolor=#e7dcc3 width=85>
Age of rock:
<td style="border-top:1px solid #999966" width=220>
<tr><td style="border-top:1px solid #999966; border-right:1px solid #999966" bgcolor=#e7dcc3 width=85>
Last eruption:
<td style="border-top:1px solid #999966" width=220>None in recorded history
<tr><td style="border-top:1px solid #999966; border-right:1px solid #999966" bgcolor=#e7dcc3 width=85>
First ascent:
<td style="border-top:1px solid #999966" width=220>
1889 by Hans Meyer and
Ludwig Purtscheller
<tr><td style="border-top:1px solid #999966; border-right:1px solid #999966" bgcolor=#e7dcc3 width=85>Easiest
route:
<td style="border-top:1px solid #999966" width=220>
scramble
</table>
Kilimanjaro is a
mountain in northeastern
Tanzania. It includes the
highest peak in
Africa. Although believed to be extinct by many, this
volcano is very much active.
Fumaroles emit gas in the crater on the main summit of Kibo. Scientists concluded in
2003 that molten
lava is just 400 metres below the summit
crater. Although new activity is not expected, there are fears the volcano may collapse, causing a major eruption similar to
Mount St. Helens. Several collapses and landslides have occurred on Kibo in the past, one creating the area known as the western breach. Although there is no recorded history of eruptions, local legend speaks of activity around 170 years ago.
The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo,
5,895 metres. As the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the
Seven Summits. The summit was first reached by the
German Hans Meyer and
Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller in
1889. Two other peaks are also extinct volcanoes: Mawensi (5,149 metres), the third highest peak in Africa (after
Mount Kenya) and Shira (3,962 m).
An ascent of Mawensi requires rock climbing and/or snow/ice climbing skills. The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper
acclimatization to prevent
altitude sickness. The three easiest routes, Marangu, Rongai and Machame can be climbed by a person of good health, and require no
mountaineering experience. Many who climb employ altitude-sickness medication and find this to be helpful in preventing the pounding headaches that plague many travellers. Those who travel on the Marangu route usually take 4-5 days to complete their climb. Huts with cooking facilites, bathrooms, and (sometimes) electricity are available at each the end of each days' journey. The final part of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 ft. to the summit, is generally undertaken at night, because the
scree is frozen together, making the climb significantly easier. Gilman's Point, on the rim of the crater, but about 1 1/2 hours hike from Uhuru, is attained at 5:00 - 6:00 am; those who have the strength to continue may then hike on to Uhuru in the growing sunlight and rising temperatures. Other routes such as the Polish Glacier and the Western Breach are much more technical in nature. Annually, approximately 15,000 people attempt to climb the mountain, of whom 40% reach the summit.
At the summit, there is a sign posted by the Tanzanian government. The sign (printed in English only) reads, in part, "Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5,895 m. AMSL". The sign is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who have left their mark on the top of the peak.
Due to the equatorial location as well as huge height, climbers can experience almost every
climate type on earth during the journey to the top.
Kilimanjaro is also the highest point in the world to be covered by the a
GSM mobile phone network. The service is provided by
Vodacom.
Current conditions
Image:Glacier at summit of Mt Kilimanjaro 001.JPG
While the volcano appears to be dormant on the inside, it is the events that are taking place on top of the mountain that are drawing global attention recently.
The snow cap that has covered the top of the mountain for the past 11,000 years since the last ice age is rapidly disappearing. Over the past century, the ice cap volume has dropped by more than 80%[2]. In 2002, many experts in the field predicted that within 15 years all of the snow on top of Africa's tallest peak would be gone. In March 2005, it was reported that the peak was now almost bare, for the first time in 11,000 years [3]. This is not due to any temperature changes, but is instead due to a lack of snowfall. It is thought that deforestation over the past century has lead to a decrease in moisture reaching the summit and turning into snowfall.
"This 3-D perspective view was generated using topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), a Landsat 7 satellite image, and a false sky. Topographic expression is vertically exaggerated two times."
See also
External links
