Cameroon line

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The Cameroon line is a chain of volcanoes that run Northeast from the Atlantic ocean into Cameroon. It was formed sometime around 80 million years ago when the African plate rotated counter-clockwise. The resulting rift opened up magma conduits that allowed the line of volcanoes to form. Nine of the volcanoes along the line are considered active, with the last eruption occurring in 2000 at Mt. Cameroon. Other mountains in the chain include Mt. Bambouto, Mt. Etinde, and Mt. Manengouba.

The portion of the rift extending into the Atlantic is responsible for the formation of a string of islands including Annobón, Bioko, Príncipe and São Tomé. These are also sometimes referred to as the Gulf of Guinea Islands.

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In Plate tectonics, where three plates meet, that point of contact is referred to as a triple junction. The Cameroon line is a fracture beginning from a triple point of contact located some miles into the Atlantic. As this fracture did not continue all the way up to the European plate, this junction is an example of a "failed triple junction". The great African Rift Valley is another example. Given recent activities along this fault line it might be this is not a failed triple junction at all.