Why is the volcano on Brava Island considered active?

Brava is the smallest inhabited island in Cape Verde and hosts a potentially active stratovolcano characterized by phonolitic rocks, carbonatite volcanism, and youthful craters. Although it has no confirmed historical eruptions, recent seismic unrest in the 20th and 21st centuries indicates that the volcanic system remains active. The island lies about 18 kilometers west of the continuously active Pico do Fogo volcano.

What we know

• Brava is a potentially active stratovolcano located in the Cape Verde archipelago. [3]
• The volcano features an abundance of phonolitic volcanic rocks, carbonatite volcanism, and a cluster of youthful craters and lava domes. [3]
• Although there are no confirmed historical eruptions on Brava, seismic unrest during the 20th and 21st centuries shows the system is still active. [3]
• Brava is situated about 18 kilometers west of Pico do Fogo, which is an active volcano on a neighboring island. [3, 4]

Where to go next

• compared withHow does Mount Fogo erupt?
• what caused itWhat caused the 1680 eruption on Fogo?
• how it workedWhat is carbonatite volcanism?
• the bigger pictureWhich islands make up the Sotavento group?
• whenWhen was Brava first settled?
• an unexpected connectionHow did a neighboring volcanic eruption boost Brava's population?The population of Brava grew significantly after Mount Fogo on the neighboring island erupted in 1680.

Sources

• [1]Brava (Wikidata Q492528) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Brava, Cape Verde · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Brava (volcano) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Fogo, Cape Verde · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]History of Cape Verde · CC BY-SA 4.0