Crater Highlands

The Crater Highlands or Ngorongoro Volcanic Highlands (Milima kasoko ya Ngorongoro , in Swahili) are a geological region along the East African Rift in the Arusha Region and parts of northern Manyara Region in north Tanzania.

The Crater Highlands are made up of several large volcanic complexes, including the 2.4-2.2 Ma Lemagarut and 2.25-2.0 Ma Ngorongoro basalt-trachybasalt-trachyandesite volcanoes (Ngorongoro also contains trachydacite) and the 1.6-1.5 Ma Oldeani basalt-trachyandesite volcano.

[2] The highlands are named for the many craters and calderas present.

Magma, rising to fill the gaps, reaches the surface and builds cones.

[2] The following are considered to be within the Crater Highlands: There are a variety of scenic walks and hikes requiring various fitness levels, as well as trips to the famous Ngorongoro Crater and visits to local villages.

Topographical map of the Crater Highlands, looking from the north to the southwest.
Sites: 1 - Laetoli (Australopithecus sp., Paranthropus aethiopicus) 2 - Olduvai (Paranthropus boisei, Homo habilis) 3 - Eyasi (Homo sapiens) Volcanoes: 4 - Sadiman 5 - Lemagrut 6 - Oldeani 7 - Ngorongoro 8 - Olmoti 9 - Empakaai 10 - Kerimasi 11 - Ol Doinyo Lengai