Emi Koussi

Tibesti, Emi - Koussi Summit, observed by the International Space Station

Emi Koussi is an active volcano.

He is with 3415 m the highest mountain of the Tibesti and the Sahara. It is located in the southwest of the Tibesti Mountains in northern Chad to a position of 19.80 N, 18:53 O. The Emi Koussi is a striking landmark that rises visible from far above the levels of the Chad Basin. The volcanic massif of Emi Koussi extends over an area of 60 km x 80 km. The summit consists of two large calderas of 12 km x 15 km in diameter and 1200 m depth. The highest point is at the edge of the southern caldera. The younger summit caldera is named Era cohort, their age is estimated at about 2 million years. Younger volcanic activity show the lava fields around the cinder cone on the north flank of the mountain, their age is estimated to be less than 2 million years. On the southern flank of Emi Koussi is an active geothermal area. Due to its extremely remote location from space volcanic activity was found with him only in the 1970s.

Within the caldera there is another, nearly circular crater, on the ground there are white on the surface very loose mineral deposits. Below the surface there are white crystalline deposits of soda. It is obtained from the local population in blocks and transported out of the crater by donkeys. The further removal is done with camels, although in the vast caldera, but can not get into the crater. The soda is also next to carbonates from saline. It is used inter alia as a leak salt for domestic and for the treatment of tobacco.

The ascent of Emi Koussi alpinistically is easy but is very difficult due to the extreme water scarcity and the associated logistical problems. The rise with camels on the southeast side to the edge of the caldera takes several days to complete. In winter the temperature drops in the caldera at night well below the freezing point.