Erta Ale volcano, Danakil depression, Ethiopia: news & activity updates

Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia): dangerous explosive activity at summit vents

A sudden strong explosive eruption has occurred at the summit caldera of the volcano yesterday. Dense ash plumes were seen rising about 800-1000 m above the summit and causing ash fall over the northwestern sector of the volcano. Read all

Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 9 July-15 July 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

Eruptive activity at Erta Ale continued during July based on satellite data and field observations. Small thermal anomalies at both the N and S pit craters were visible in periodic satellite image views on 1, 6, 8, and 11 July. On 15 July a dense black plume rising from an unstated area was filmed by a local observer and was thought to have originated from a collapse of a portion of crust covering a lava lake. Read all

Erta Ale volcano (Danakil depression, Ethiopia): lava returns to northern pit crater, elevated activity continues

A new lava effusion phase commenced at the volcano and is still continuing constantly since 2 April. Read all

Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 15 January-21 January 2025 (Continuing Activity)

Satellite images of Erta Ale on 7, 17, and 22 January showed thermal anomalies over the N and S pit crater vent areas. Read all

Erta Ale volcano (Danakil depression, Ethiopia) field report: incredible videos from eruption site

Following the recent intense effusive activity of the volcano, the local guide and geologist Enku Mulugeta observed the activity at the site from where we were provided first-hand information. Read all

Erta Ale volcano (Danakil depression, Ethiopia): yet another lava batch in southern pit crater

The effusive eruption at the volcano continues to be elevated. Read all

Erta Ale (Ethiopia) volcano - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 25 December-31 December 2024 (Continuing Activity)

Eruptive activity continued at Erta Ale during December based on satellite data and a field excursion. Satellite images on 8 and 13 December showed a small thermal anomaly over a vent in the S Pit Crater and a smaller one over a second vent 85 m to the NW. According to a news article a local tour guide visited the area on 16 December and described “glowing rivers flowing from the southern crater”. Read all