Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya Latest News

Climate change is rapidly accelerating the melting of glaciers on Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain after Kilimanjaro.

Why in the News?

• The Lewis Glacier, once a prominent ice mass, has now shrunk significantly, with studies predicting Mount Kenya could become entirely ice-free by 2030.
• A 2011 study from Austria’s University of Innsbruck reported that Lewis Glacier lost 90% of its volume between 1934 and 2010.
• A 2023 satellite study found that only 4.2% of the ice observed in 1900 remains today.

About Mount Kenya

• Location: Central Kenya, just south of the Equator.
• Elevation:5,199 meters (17,058 feet) at its highest peak (Batian).
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Designated in 1997 for its ecological and cultural significance.
• Geological Origin: A long-extinct stratovolcano, heavily eroded over time.
• Glaciers: Home to Lewis Glacier and Tyndall Glacier, among the last remaining tropical glaciers in Africa.

Mount Kenya FAQs

Q1. Where is Mount Kenya located?
Ans. Mount Kenya is located in central Kenya, Africa, and is the second-highest mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro.

Q2. What is the significance of Mount Kenya in terms of biodiversity?
Ans. Mount Kenya is home to unique alpine flora and fauna, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich biodiversity.

Q3. What type of volcano is Mount Kenya?
Ans. Mount Kenya is an extinct stratovolcano that last erupted over 3 million years ago.

Q4. What is the highest peak of Mount Kenya?
Ans. The highest peak is Batian (5,199 meters), followed by Nelion (5,188 meters) and Point Lenana (4,985 meters).

Source: IE