Volcanic chronology of the Men–Kilimanjaro region, Northern Tanzania

Abstract

New conventional K-Ar dates for volcanic rocks from a recently mapped area in northern Tanzania, which includes the large volcano Meru, confirm rift-faulting episodes around 2.1 Ma and 1.2 Ma. Alkaline volcanic activity in the Meru area occurred in two main episodes, the earliest around 2.0–1.5 Ma. The later, main phase began about 0.3 Ma and peaked between 0.15 Ma and 0.06 Ma, although minor activity continued into the present century. Available data suggests that Meru and the neighbouring Kilimanjaro volcanic massif were never substantially active during the same periods.