# Trou aux Cerfs

Trou aux Cerfs (also known as Murr's Volcano) is a dormant, crater lake, cinder cone volcano with a well-defined cone and crater. It is 605 m (1,985 ft) high and located in Curepipe, Mauritius. The crater has been alternately described as 300 and 350 meters in diameter, and is 80 meters deep.
The crater was formed less than 2 million years ago in the second phase of volcanic activity that created Mauritius.
According to experts, the volcano is currently dormant but could become active at any time within the next thousand years. It last erupted 700,000 years ago.

## Wildlife on the volcano
### Fauna

Currently, the only mammals living on the volcano are the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and the fruit bat (Pteropus niger).
Lots of exotic birds are found here, including the red fody (Foudia madagascariensis), but the endemic bird species are the martin (Phedina borbonica) and the swiftlet (Aerodramus francicus).

### Flora

Two species of the genus Trochetia are found here. They are Trochetia blackburniana and the very rare Trochetia triflora.
The most common exotic tree found here is the pine tree (Pinus massoniana), but the endemic plants include the manglier (Sideroxylon puberulum) and the fanjan (Alsophila sp.)

## Other volcanoes in Mauritius
### Main volcanoes

(Aside Trou aux Cerfs)

#### Mt. Bar le Duc

This volcano is 507m high. It is a shield volcano. Having a deep crater, it is dormant. It is also known as Ripailles hill. From it, you’ll see Alma hill, another volcano.

#### Trou Kanaka

It is 570m high. It is a cinder cone volcano. This volcano also has a deep crater and is extinct. It is near Ganga Talao, a volcano.

#### Ganga Talao

Ganga Talao, also known as Grand Bassin, is an extinct volcano and a crater lake volcano. It is 560m high. It is a major Hindu pilgrimage site.

#### Bassin Blanc

As the crater has been filled with water, it is a crater lake volcano. It is extinct. When it erupted long ago, it created the valleys of La Vallee des Couleurs Nature Park.

### Lesser-known volcanoes
#### Mount Piton

Mount Piton is the highest hill in the North with it being 267m high. It is a shield volcano and an extinct volcano. The crater is located where a small forest is found.

#### The Mount hill

The Mount is close to Mount Piton. It is 162m high. It is covered with sugarcane fields.

#### Butte aux Papayes hill

Near Belle vue Harel, it is 142m high. It is now the “Domaine de Hillside” where people live.

#### Forbach hill

It is near Butte aux Papayes hill with it being 101m high. It is extinct. Like The Mount, it’s covered with sugarcane fields.

#### Mt. William

While going to Nicoliere reservoir, on your left you will see Mt William, a dead volcano. A forest is found next to the crater, where there are lots of exotic Psidium cattleianum. It is 306m high.

#### Mon Loisir hill

Further from Mount Piton, you can see Mon Loisir hill. The elevation is low and covered with sugarcane.

#### Alma hill

From Mont Bar le duc, you can easily see Alma hill. Rich with trees, this dead volcano has always been a scenic spot.

#### Mt. Calebasses

Mont Calebasses is an isolated peak, being 632m in height. It can be seen from the Terre Rouge-Verdun Highway. It was a volcano.

#### L’escalier volcano

Located in Nouvelle decouverte, it is extinct. The crater is shallow.

#### Verdun hill

This volcano is 537m high. It is located near Belle Rive.

#### Butte Chaumont

Near Verdun hill, this volcano, like Trou Kanaka, is 570m high. It is extinct.

#### Trou de Mme Bouchet

Next to Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, Trou de Mme Bouchet is extinct.

#### Curepipe Point

Being the highest volcano in Mauritius, it is 686m high. Like Trou de Mme Bouchet, it is next to Mare aux Vacoas reservoir.

#### Mt. Perruche

Near Mare aux Vacoas, it is in the Domaine des 7 Vallees Nature Reserve.