Get our newsletter!     Volcano Calendar 2019: We're proud to present our 2019 volcano calendar: 13 different and attractive images of volcanoes, volcanic landscapes and phenomena taken during volcano tours over the past few years.  Volcano Discoveries: "One of the most eye-catching guides to the world’s volcanoes ever published.  VolcanoAdventures: Our professional team of volcanologists and photographers offers unique travel opportunities: volcano expeditions, photo tours, and relaxed walking & study tours.  The Volcano Adventure Guide: Excellent information and background for anyone wishing to visit active volcanoes safely and enjoyably. The book presents guidelines to visiting 42 different volcanoes around the world. Guaranteed tours: : spaces available / : guaranteed / : few spaces left / : booked out Random pictures | |  Erta Ale volcano is a large basaltic shield volcano in the Erta Ale volcanic range in the central northern Danakil depression (NE Ethiopia).
It is famed for its persistent lava lake which has been active during most of the past decades since it was first discovered in the 1960s.
Erta Ale is only 613 m high, but as typical for a shield volcano has a very gentle slopes and a large 40 km diameter base. The summit is truncated by a complex, elongated 1700 x 600 m wide caldera which contains vast lava flows and several larger and smaller pit craters, most notably the active north and south crater, which contains the lava lake at present.
Erta Ale is one of the main attractions of the Danakil, and had became a popular tour destination in recent years. Unfortunately, the deadly attack on 4 January 2012 against tourists and scientists camped on the crater rim, in which several were killed, illustrates that the area is politically unstable and can be subject to terrorist attacks. Anyone visiting the volcano should be aware of this.
Shield volcano 613 m / 2,011 ft
Danakil depression, Ethiopia, 13.6°N / 40.66°E Current status: erupting (4 out of 5) Erta Ale webcams / live data | ReportsErta Ale volcano videosErta Ale volcano books | ToursErta Ale volcano eruptions:
1873(?), 1903(?), 1904(?), 1906, 1940, 1960, 1967-2004, 2005-ongoing Typical eruption style:Effusive. Persistant lava lake. Last earthquakes nearbyErta Ale volcano toursDesert, salt and volcanoes (14 days expedition to Erta Ale volcano and Dallol hydrothermal field (Danakil desert, Ethiopia)) Latest satellite images  Erta Ale (Ethiopia) volcano news:Mon, 19 Aug 2019, 11:07  Satellite image of Erta Ale from 17 Aug 2019 showing the areas of new lava flows at the surface (image: Sentinal-hub) A series of relatively large lava surface flows is visible on recent satellite images, in locations between 3-4 km SE from the summit caldera. ...moreLocal reporters mentioned "new fissures", but more likely, these are new lava breakout flows from otherwise roofed-over channeled (underground) flows from the still ongoing fissure eruption that had started in early 2017. As well, the lava lake appears to be still present (although still deep) in the southern pit crater of the summit caldera. [ less] [ read all] Tue, 9 Jul 2019, 07:39  Satellite image of Erta Ale from yesterday with hot spots on the SE flank and at the summit (image: Sentinel Hub) No significant changes have occurred at the volcano during the past weeks. The flank eruption (which had started in early 2017) is still going on, gradually enlarging the vast new lava flow field on the southern and eastern flanks. ...moreRight now, active flow fronts are present at approx. 5 km SE of the summit caldera where the lava lake is also present, but still relatively deep in the southern pit crater. The following video shows the evolution of the volcano as an animated series of satellite imagery from 2015 until June 2019: [ less] [ read all] Thu, 30 May 2019, 15:09  Satellite image of Erta Ale from yesterday shows a new hot spot (possible area with new lava flows) on the ESE flank (image: Sentinal-hub) A satellite image taken yesterday shows a new hot spot on the SES flank, at about 12 km distance from the summit caldera. Following the report of a possible eruption from the Afdera region, this is likely the area in question and thus becomes a report of Erta Ale volcano instead. ...moreIf the thermal signal is from lava, which is very likely, it seems that a new eruptive fissure has opened up there. An interpretation is that the central conduit still being largely blocked following the collapse events in early 2017 force magma to find alternative ("easier") pathways, such as during the (still ongoing) flank eruption from vents on the southern and southeastern flanks that followed. [ less] [ read all] More on VolcanoDiscovery: Vanuatu Volcano Tours: One of the most exciting volcano travel destinations in the world! On our adventurous expeditions, you will get close to active lava lakes on Ambrym Island and the spectacular fireworks of Yasur volcano on Tanna Island.  Tropical rainforest, coconut palm beaches, primitive culture and moon-like landscapes, and some of the world's most active and exciting volcanoes. Join us on our expedition to Vanuatu.  Volcano Calendar 2017: We're proud to present our 2017 volcano calendar: 13 different and attractive images of volcanoes, volcanic landscapes and phenomena taken during volcano tours over the past few years. |
