Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and fourth highest of the Seven Summits. It is considered the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, with Uhuru Peak rising to an altitude of 15,100 feet (4,600m) from base to summit. The mountain is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo 19,340 feet (5895m); Mawenzi 16,896 feet (5149m); and Shira 13,000 feet (3962m). Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim.
Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano that began forming a million years ago, when lava spilled from the Rift Valley zone. The mountain was created by successive lava flows. Two of its three peaks, Mawenzi and Shira, are extinct while Kibo (the highest peak) is dormant and could erupt again. The last major eruption has been dated to 360,000 years ago, while the most recent activity was recorded just 200 years ago. Kilimanjaro has 2.2 square kilometres (0.85 sq mi) of glacial ice although it is losing it quickly due to climate change. The glaciers have shrunk 82% since 1912 and declined 33% since 1989 - it might be ice free within 20 years.
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