Table of Contents
What is so special about Mt. Kenya?
Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano which originally rose an estimated 3 million years ago and last erupted an estimated 2.6 million years ago. Mount Kenya National Park was formed in 1949 and in 1978 the site became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve before finally being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
Where was Mount Kenya located?
Mount Kenya straddles the equator about 193 km north-east of Nairobi and about 480 km from the Kenyan coast. At 5,199 m, Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa and is an ancient extinct volcano.
Does Mt. Kenya have a crater?
The peak area is formed from the hard core or plug of the volcano, the crater having long since been eroded away, and rises steeply on all sides some 450 m above the glaciers and scree slopes. There is excellent rock and ice climbing of a high standard to the twin summit peaks of Batian (5199 m) and Nelion (5188 m).
Do people live on Mount Kenya?
The main ethnic groups living around Mount Kenya are Kikuyu, Ameru, Embu and Maasai. The first three are closely related. They all see the mountain as an important aspect of their cultures.
Does it snow on Mt Kenya?
Snow and rain are common from March to December, but especially in the two wet seasons.
How Mt Kenya was formed?
Mt. Kenya is a large fairy symmetrical volcanic cone. Its diameter at the base averages 120 km. It was formed between 2.6 and 3.1 million years ago by eruptions of successive layers of lava and agglomerates from a central vent in the earth’s surface.
Does Mt Kenya have a lake?
Situated below Mugi Hill, northeast of the main peaks, Lake Ellis is the third largest lake of Mt Kenya’s great lakes at 28 acres, after Lake Alice and Lake Michaelson….Lakes & Tarns on Mt Kenya by Size.
| 1 | Lake Alice | 48 acres |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Lake Rutundu | 25 acres |
| 5 | Lake Hohnel | 21 acres |
| 6 | Carr Lakes | 20 acres |
| 7 | Enchanted Lake | 10 acres |
Does Mount Kenya have snow?
How cold does Mt Kenya get?
Current Climate. The current climate on Mount Kenya is wet, but drier than it has been in the past. The temperatures span a wide range, which diminishes with altitude. In the lower alpine zone they usually don’t go below 12 °C (54 °F).
Is Kenya Hot or cold?
Kenya lies on the equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate, but there are large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Kenya’s daytime temperatures average between 20°C/68°F and 28°C/82°F, but it is warmer on the coast.
Will Mount Kenya ever erupt?
Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano (last eruption 2.6 million years ago), which originally rose over 3 million years ago.
Who discovered Mt Kenya?
Named after Dr Krapf, who was the first European to see the mountain in 1849. Named after A. R. Barlow, who ascended to the peaks three times and made a collection of photographs of the mountain. Named after Cesar Ollier, a guide on Mackinder’s expedition in 1899.