Kilimanjaro

White mountain, arising powerfully above East African table-land on north-east part of Tanzania, near to the border with neighbouring Kenya, excites still again admiration and astonishment. So, even within 20 years time period of second half of 19th century, (between 1870 and 1890) 49 Europeans tried to climb Kilimanjaro Mountain. However, they were not succesfull, owing to extreme climatic conditions, starting from tropical hot at slope of the mountain, and finishing with terrible frost in high belts. Even in 1889 Hans Meyer, German researcher, and Louis Purtscheller, Austrian mounteneer, succeeded first climbing to Kibo, the highest from Kilimanjaro peaks (5895 m).

At present, the tourists can overcome this mountain, accompanied with experienced guide, in five days. From a place, known as Marangu (in an altitude of 1500 metres above sea level), situated on south-east part of the mountain, there is a distance of 4400 metres to the peak. So, the highest from lonely situated mountains of the Earth, covers, with its 80 kms length and 60 kms width, an extent, which is twice so great as the country of Luxembourg. From west to east, there are to be noted its peaks, such as: Shira (4000 height), Kibo („Clear“), covered with everlasting ice, and Mawenzi („Obscure“), rugged - 5270 metres high peak with bizarre rocky points. This mountain giant, directly arising from flat table-land of Tanzania, extending 900-1000 metres above sea level, is practically accumulated volcano, established 25 millions of years ago, in Tertiary formation.

The oldest one from these three volcano cones, originally 5000 metres high - Shira - fell through after big eruption, and so, there was established on a top a crater of three kilometers diameter. The crater of Kibo peak is 2 kms wide and 200 metres deep. It is bordered with a mound of rocks, 300 metres high. Its glaciers descend to 4300 metres. Moreover, the individuality of  Kilimanjaro is stressed with variety of its fauna and flora. Height difference from slope to the top offers a space for various vegetace stages.

So, poor, grassy savanna reaches the altitude of 1000 metres, further, there is to be found a belt of arable soil, where a corn, wheat, vegetables, coffee, cotton-plant and sugar-cane are planted. The necessary water is brought by means of wooden tubes to more dry belts from higher placed areas of Kilimanjaro. So, this cultivated belt is changed with mountain forest bringing rich precipitations. In 1973, the whole area, starting with mountain forest up to mountain peak, was declared as National Park. In an altitude of 3000 metres, it starts a belt of heath and grass, changed with rock ruins zone. At the altitude of 5000 metres above sea level, the area of everlasting ice is starting. At just this belt lends this mountain giant a face of nature miracle. It is not sure, if Kilimanjaro keeps its characteristic snow cup for ever. The scientists follow continuous ice-thaw of Kibu peak for many years. 

Whereas these changes were blamed for general climatic cjanges, now, the glaciers´ thaw would be taken in cohesion with increasing of so called fumarolas. These are hot steam effusions (200-280°C), coming from cracks from Earth interior, arising a temperature in neighbourhood.

Text: J. Štantejský and Monumente der Welt

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Sbork, Esculapio - č.3, č.4, Paul Shaffner,Yosemite - č.7, č.8, č.9, Arne