COMOROS

COMOROS / UNION DES COMORES - UDZIMA WA KOMORI.

Eruption of Karthala volcano (September 1972).
Airmail stamp issued on 16.07.1973.
Face value: 120 French African CFA francs.
Design and engraving: Georges Bétemps (1921-1992).
Printing: Photogravure.

Catalogs
- Michel No. 159.
- Scott No. C54.
- StampWorld No. 140.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 140.
- Yvert et Tellier No. PA 54.

Karthala (Karatala, Kartala or Kartola, in Arabic القرطالة) is a shield volcano 30 km (18.64 mi) long and 15 km (9.32 mi) wide located on the island of Grande Comore. It culminates at 2,361 m (7,746 ft) above sea level. At its top there is a caldera 3 km (1.86 mi) wide by 4 km (2.48 mi) long. It is a relatively active volcano, with twenty Hawaiian-type eruptions during the 19th and 20th centuries, which have formed lava flows that reach the sea in some cases. In one of the craters it was formed a lava lake. Although there are data of eruptions in 12th century, the first that is documented took place in 1808; the most violent eruptions, causing human casualties, were those of 1884, 1904, 1977 and the end of 2005. On November 12, 2006, Karthala was recognized as a Ramsar site due to the diversity of the wetlands surrounding the volcano. The first recorded ascension was that of Doctor Kresten in 1863.