Ambohiby Massif
Ambohiby Massif
Andranomangatsiaka (undetermined) | |
|---|---|
 The massif (lower right) as seen by the Landsat 7 satellite. | |
  Ambohiby Massif | |
| Coordinates: 18°50′10″S 46°12′22″E / 18.836°S 46.206°E | |
| Location | Bongolava, Madagascar |
| Age | 90 million years (Late Cretaceous) |
| Formed by | Collapse of caldera after emptying of magma chamber due to tectonic separation of India and Madagascar. |
| Native name | Andranomangatsiaka (undetermined) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 225 square kilometres (87 sq mi) |
| Dimensions | |
| • Height | 1,630 metres (5,350 ft)[1] |
Ambohiby Massif is an alkaline ring complex in Tsiroanomandidy District, Bongolava, Madagascar, which covers approximately 225 km2 (87 sq mi).[2]
The settlement of Anosibe Ambohiby, which has a population of about 300 Betsileo people, is located within the complex almost entirely isolated from the rest of the region; the closest settlement is the town of Antaniditra, 8 km (5.0 mi) away, and the nearest city, Tsiroanomandidy, is 18 km (11 mi) away.[3]
History
The massif was formed during the Late Cretaceous period, as the Madagascar Plate and the Indian Plate separated around 90 million years ago. Originally it was a volcano, however as the tectonic plates separated, the hotspot supplying it was cut off, causing the volcano to cool and collapse as it had no heat source.[3]
According to the record from French botanist Jacques Désiré Leandri published in 1935, the crater was called 'Andranomangatsiaka' (translating to 'where we find fresh water') by the area's indigenous people. Leandri also described the massif as having two peaks which dominate it, one called Andapa which was used as a geodetic point. He also said that the western part of the wooded region is named Ampihirano.[1]
The complex became more well known due to a video published by Vox about the landform and the settlement inside it in 2023.[3]
References
- ^ a b Léandri, J. (13 December 1935). "Excursion au Mount Ambohiby (Madagascar)". Bulletin de la Société Botanique de France (in French). 82 (5): 609–612. doi:10.1080/00378941.1935.10833020.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Cecilia Mukosi, Ndivhuwo (December 2012). Petrogenesis of the Ambohiby Complex, Madagascar and the Role of Marion Hotspot plume (Thesis). Stellenbosch University. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.27096.80644.
- ^ a b c Haubursin, Christophe (5 December 2023). "What's inside this crater in Madagascar?". Vox. YouTube. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
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