| Meidob volcanic field | |
|---|---|
 The Meidob volcanic field seen from space | |
| Highest point | |
| Coordinates | 15°19′N 26°28′E / 15.32°N 26.47°E[1] |
| Geography | |
  Meidob volcanic field | |
Meidob volcanic field is a Holocene volcanic field in Darfur, Sudan. It is one of several volcanic fields in Africa whose origin is explained by the activity of mantle plumes and their interaction with crustal structures. Meidob lies at the southern margin of the Sahara.
The volcanic field is formed by overlapping lava flows, which cover an area of 100 by 50 kilometres (62 mi × 31 mi) and emanate from about 700 vents, mainly scoria cones. Lava domes, pyroclastic fall and pyroclastic flow deposits are also common. Among the vents is the Malha crater, which presently contains a small lake. The volcanic field has erupted rocks ranging from basanite to trachyte and rises from a tectonic uplift known as the Darfur dome.
Volcanic activity in Meidob began 6.8 million years ago and continued into the Holocene, with the most recent eruptions dated to 4,900 ± 520 years ago. There are no geothermal manifestations at Meidob, but legends of the local people imply that they witnessed volcanic eruptions in the field.