Volcanic activity in Atakor occurred 20-12 million years ago,[31] 6.7 - 4.2 million years ago and 1.95 million years ago until today,[32] with most volcanic activity taking place during the first episode in the Burdigalian and Serravallian.[31] The second and the third volcanic phases were also accompanied by substantial ground uplift.[7] Phonolite and trachyte erupted first and basalts later,[1] although contrary to initial belief the flood basalts are from the oldest Tertiary,[33] and the phonolitic-trachytic volcanism continued after the basaltic activity.[19] Stratovolcanoes with lava flows are the most recent manifestations of activity in Atakor.[20]