Hatis is a Dome-Shaped Volcano: Announcement

The Institute of Geological Sciences of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences has issued a statement regarding the commencement of construction of the statue of Jesus Christ at the summit of Mount Hatis.

“1. Hatis volcano, which rises to 2529 meters above sea level, is one of the 14 dome-shaped rhyolitic volcanoes from the Quaternary period in the territory of Armenia. During the first phase of volcanic activity, pyroclastic material of rhyolitic composition erupted, followed by flows of obsidian and dacitic lava. The last viscous masses of lava plugged the volcano's crater and created a dome-shaped structure or volcanic neck. Various studies document Hatis' volcanic activity within a range of 0.38 to 0.66 million years, corresponding to the middle Pleistocene. Towards the end of the middle Pleistocene and the beginning of the late Pleistocene, smaller volcanoes and fissures formed on the slopes of Hatis, from which basaltic andesite lava flows erupted. There are numerous outcrops of volcanic glass (obsidian or vamakati) and lava flows on the slopes of Hatis.

There are approximately 550 Quaternary volcanoes in the territory, of which 14 are dome-shaped rhyolitic volcanoes featuring lava flows made of obsidian. Attached images depict Hatis volcano from the south, exposures of obsidian on the slopes of the mountain, and the geological maps of Hatis and Guhansar volcanoes created by the Volcanology Laboratory of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences (symbolic markings are not included).

By the decision of the Government of Armenia on August 14, 2008, Hatis Mountain was recognized as a geological monument under the name