Marrah Mountains

Darfur Region (West Sudan), Sudan

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The Marrah Mountains, also known as Jebel Marra, are a volcanic mountain range located in the center of the Darfur region in western Sudan, spanning the states of South Darfur, Central Darfur, and parts of North Darfur.

They rise to a peak elevation of about 3,042 meters (9,980 feet) at the Deriba Caldera, the highest point in Sudan, which features two crater lakes formed by a volcanic eruption around 3,500 years ago.

The mountains cover roughly 89 kilometers north to south and 64 kilometers wide at their broadest, emerging from the surrounding dry savanna and semi-desert to create a unique temperate climate with higher rainfall and permanent springs. This distinct environment supports lush vegetation and numerous rivers that flow from the highlands, contrasting with the arid plains of Darfur.

The Marrah Mountains are geologically significant, with a history of volcanic activity in the late Tertiary and Miocene periods, shaping the dramatic landscape of rugged peaks, deep valleys, and fertile soils that sustain local agriculture and communities.