Recently, social media was flooded with alarming videos claiming that Mount Longonot, a dormant volcano in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, had erupted. The videos, showing smoke and flames billowing from the mountain, sparked widespread panic, with many fearing that the volcano had awakened after more than 160 years of dormancy. However, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) swiftly responded, confirming that the incident was not caused by volcanic activity but rather bushfires.
According to KWS, the fires were likely ignited by human activity, possibly a discarded cigarette or intentional vegetation burning. Mount Longonot National Park, a popular destination for tourists and hikers, is known for recurring bushfires, particularly during dry seasons when the vegetation becomes highly flammable. KWS emphasized that such fires are not unusual and have occurred in the past, with the most significant incidents being attributed to activities like charcoal burning, grazing, and occasional carelessness by hikers.
The fires in question were quickly dismissed as misinformation, which has circulated online in the past. KWS recalled a similar incident in 2022 when false reports of volcanic activity caused panic. The fires around Mount Longonot are typically contained within the park, but they can lead to considerable environmental and safety concerns, particularly when they drive wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, and buffalo into nearby residential areas, escalating human-wildlife conflict.
Historically, Mount Longonot’s last confirmed eruption occurred in 1863, and it has remained dormant ever since. Although minor seismic activities were recorded in 2007-2008 and 2013, they did not constitute a full eruption. KWS continues to monitor the volcano for potential reactivation, as it lies within the active East African Rift system.
