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Erta Ale Volcano

Updated: 29 mars. 2024 11:26 GMT -
Shield volcano 613 m / 2,011 ft
Danakil depression, Ethiopia, 13.6°N / 40.66°E
Condition actuelle: en éruption (4 sur 5)
Last update: 14 mars 2024 (renewed lava flow eruption in southern pit crater)
Erta Ale's active crater containing the lava lake
Erta Ale's active crater containing the lava lake

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.

[smaller] [larger]
Style éruptif tipique: Effusive. Persistant lava lake.
Eruptions du volcan Erta Ale: 1873(?), 1903(?), 1904(?), 1906, 1940, 1960, 1967-2004, 2005-ongoing

Derniers séismes proches

No recent earthquakes
HeureMag. / ProfondeurDistance / Lieu

Introduction

Erta Ale is one of the few volcanoes on the world that have an almost persistent lava lake. It is an isolated basaltic shield volcano, 50 km wide, rising more than 600 m from below sea level in the barren Danakil depression.
The volcano contains a 0.7 x 1.6 km elliptical summit crater with several steep-sided pit craters, one of them containing a lava lake. Another larger 1.8 x 3.1 km wide depression, elongated parallel to the trend of the Erta Ale range is located to the SE of the summit and is bounded by curvilinear fault scarps on the SE side. Fresh-looking basaltic lava flows from these fissures have poured into the caldera and locally overflowed its rim. The summit caldera is renowned for one, or sometimes two long-term lava lakes that have been active since at least 1967, or possibly since 1906. Recent fissure eruptions have occurred on the northern flank of Erta Ale.
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Source: GVP, Smithsonian Institution

Erta Ale Volcano Photos

Latest satellite images

ErtaAle satellite image sat1ErtaAle satellite image sat2
Erta Ale Volcano Tours
Désert de Danakil (Éthiopie)
Désert, sels et volcans
Expédition au volcan Erta Ale et les champs hydrothermaux de Dallol (désert de Danakil, Éthiopie)
14 jours / 13 nuits - Modérée
Prix open
pas de groupe programmé pour le moment
Danakil desert (Ethiopia)
Erta Ale Volcano Special
8-day expedition to Erta Ale volcano, Ethiopia
8 days - Modérée
Prix $ 3490
Départs sur commande possibles
Nov 2024 (exact date soon)
Dec 2024 (exact date soon)
jeu., 14 mars 2024, 05:57

Erta Ale volcano (Danakil depression, Ethiopia): renewed lava flow eruption in southern pit crater

The new lava flow from the hornito in the southern pit crater (image: Sentinel-2)
A new lava effusion phase began at the volcano. Read all
mer., 31 janv. 2024, 15:00

Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 24 January-30 January 2024 (Continuing Activity)

During 13-23 January lava flows emerged from vents in Erta Ale's S pit crater and traveled about 500 m S, 200 m NW, and 250 m SSW based on satellite images. Visitors to the volcano took photographs and video of low lava fountaining at a cone and advancing pahoehoe flows. Activity increased notably during the morning of 27 January. ... Read all
New photos from Erta Ale, Ethiopia!
New photos from Erta Ale, Ethiopia!

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