Trou aux Cerfs (also known as Murr's Volcano) is a dormant, crater lake, cinder cone volcano with a well-defined cone and crater. It is 605 m (1,985 ft) high and located in Curepipe, Mauritius. The crater has been alternately described as 300[1] and 350 meters in diameter,[2] and is 80 meters deep.[2]
| Trou aux Cerfs | |
|---|---|
 Crater of Trou aux Cerfs | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 605 m (1,985 ft) |
| Coordinates | 20°18′54″S 57°30′18″E / 20.31500°S 57.50500°E |
| Geography | |
  Trou aux Cerfs Location in Mauritius | |
| Location | Curepipe, Mauritius |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Dormant - Volcanic crater |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Car/Walking |
The crater was formed less than 2 million years ago in the second phase of volcanic activity that created Mauritius.[3]
According to experts, the volcano is currently dormant but could become active at any time within the next thousand years.[citation needed] It last erupted 700,000 years ago.
Wildlife on the volcano
editFauna
editCurrently, the only mammals living on the volcano are the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and the fruit bat (Pteropus niger).
Lots of exotic birds are found here, including the red fody (Foudia madagascariensis), but the endemic bird species are the martin (Phedina borbonica) and the swiftlet (Aerodramus francicus).
Flora
editTwo species of the genus Trochetia are found here. They are Trochetia blackburniana and the very rare Trochetia triflora.
The most common exotic tree found here is the pine tree (Pinus massoniana), but the endemic plants include the manglier (Sideroxylon puberulum) and the fanjan (Alsophila sp)
Other volcanoes in Mauritius
editMain volcanoes
edit(Aside Trou aux Cerfs)
Mt. Bar le Duc
editThis volcano is 507m high. It is a shield volcano. Having a deep crater, it is dormant. It is also known as Ripailles hill. From it, you’ll see Alma hill, another volcano.
Trou Kanaka
editIt is 570m high. It is a cinder cone volcano. This volcano also has a deep crater and is extinct. It is near Ganga Talao, a volcano.
Ganga Talao, also known as Grand Bassin, is an extinct volcano and a crater lake volcano. It is 560m high. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage site.
Bassin Blanc
editAs the crater has been filled with water, it is a crater lake volcano. It is extinct. When it erupted long ago, it created the valleys of La Vallee des Couleurs nature park.
Lesser-known volcanoes
editMount Piton
editMount Piton is the highest hill in the North with it being 267m high. It is a shield volcano and an extinct volcano. The crater is located where a small forest is found.
The Mount hill
editThe Mount is close to Mount Piton. It is 162m high. It is covered with sugarcane fields.
Butte aux Papayes hill
editNear Belle vue Harel, it is 142m high. It is now the “Domaine de Hillside” where people live.
Forbach hill
editIt is near Butte aux Papayes hill with it being 101m high. It is extinct. Like The Mount, it’s covered with sugarcane fields.
Mt. William
editWhile going to Nicoliere reservoir, on your left you will see Mt William, a dead volcano. A forest is found next to the crater, where there are lots of exotic Psidium cattleianum. It is 306m high.
Mon Loisir hill
editFurther from Mount Piton, you can see Mon Loisir hill. The elevation is low and covered with sugarcane.
Alma hill
editFrom Mont Bar le duc, you can easily see Alma hill. Rich with trees, this dead volcano has always been a scenic spot.
Mt. Calebasses
editMont Calebasses is an isolated peak, being 632m in height. It can be seen from the Terre Rouge-Verdun Highway. It was a volcano.
L’escalier volcano
editLocated in Nouvelle decouverte, it is extinct. The crater is shallow.
Verdun hill
editThis volcano is low. It is located near Belle Rive.
Butte Chaumont
editNear Verdun hill, this volcano, like Trou Kanaka, is 570m high. It is extinct.
Trou de Mme Bouchet
editNext to Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, Trou de Mme Bouchet is extinct.
Curepipe Point
editBeing the highest volcano in Mauritius, it is 686m high. Like Trou de Mme Bouchet, it is next to Mare aux Vacoas reservoir.
Mt. Perruche
editLike Trou Kanaka, it is in the Domaine des 7 vallees nature park.
References
edit
- ^ "Trou aux Cerfs". Mauritius UK Connection. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ^ a b "Trou aux Cerfs volcano". Government of Mauritius. Archived from the original on 2007-03-07. Retrieved 2007-03-17.
- ^ Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. pp. 390. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.
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