The Crater Highlands (Ngorongoro Highlands) are a region along the East African Rift in Tanzania, located in a spreading zone at the intersection of branches of the African and Somali tectonic plates, resulting in distinctive and prominent landforms.
The highlands are named for the many craters and calderas present. As common in spreading zones, volcanoes can be found here. Magma, rising to fill the gaps, reaches the surface and builds cones. Calderas form if a volcano explodes or collapses, following the emptying of the magma chamber below, and further spreading can fracture the volcanoes as well.
The following are considered to be within the Crater Highlands:
- Lake Eyasi
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Ela Naibori Crater
- Kitumbeine Mountain
- Gelai Mountain
- Mount Loolmalasin
- Meto Hills
Coordinates: 3°05′05″S 35°40′54″E / 3.08472°S 35.68167°E / -3.08472; 35.68167
Famous quotes containing the words crater and/or highlands:
“Give me a condor’s quill! Give me Vesuvius’ crater for an inkstand!”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“Ye Highlands and ye Lawlands.
Oh! where hae ye been?
They hae slain the Earl of Murray,
And hae laid him on the green.”
—Unknown. The Bonny Earl of Murray (l. 1–4)