Mount Cameroon is an active volcano in Cameroon near the Gulf of Guinea. It is one of Africa's largest volcanoes, rising over 4,000 meters, with more than 100 small cinder cones. Mount Cameroon has the most frequent eruptions of any West African volcano, having erupted most recently in 2012. It is part of the Cameroon Volcanic Line that also includes Lake Nyos, the site of a disaster in 1986. The image was acquired January 12, 2007, covers an area of 26.5 by 32 km, and is located at 4.2 degrees north, 9.1 degrees east.
Image credit: NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
This Envisat image shows West Africa around the Gulf of Guinea, with parts of Nigeria to the north and Cameroon to the east visible. Cameroon’s largest city of Douala is located near the Wouri estuary near the center of the image. North of the Wouri estuary, the Mount Cameroon volcano is clearly visible. The island of Bioko is pictured just off the coast.
Reflections of Envisat’s radar signal appear like specks of white throughout the image. They are particularly concentrated around cities such as Malabo on the island, Douala near the Wouri estuary and the populated areas of southern Nigeria. These white specks are the typical appearance of built-up areas in radar images, owing to the multiple reflection of the radar beam by buildings and especially metal constructions.
This image is a compilation of three images from Envisat’s radar, acquired on 6 February, 7 March and 6 April 2012 – just two days before communication with the satellite was lost.
Image credit: ESA
