Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia): new flank eruption reported

Wed, 25 Jan 2017, 11:09 | BY: T

Hot spots on Erta Ale - the reported flank eruption is not (yet) visible (MODIS data, Univ. Hawai'i)

News have come in about a fissure eruption at the SE flank of the volcano, approx. 7 km distance from the summit caldera and its lava lake (which partially collapsed on and after 20 Jan).
According to our local correspondents, the activity at the summit has decreased a lot, which would be in accordance with the scenario of lava now being drained through lower fissures on the flanks. Apparently, the fissures opened on or shortly after 21 Jan and produce large amounts of lava now flowing into the direction of Afdera.
The information we have so far is still sketchy and the reports need to be confirmed, but our source is reliable and it seems plausible that a flank eruption has actually started. We will update when new information becomes available.

Eruption tour proposal:
It seems possible to reach this area by land; we are investigating whether we can offer a last-minute Volcano Eruption Special tour in the next days (next week). If you'd be interested and able to leave within few days to Addis Ababa, please don't hesitate to follow the link to the tour page and/or email us mentioning "Erta Ale volcano special".

All news about: Erta Ale volcano
Information about: Erta Ale volcano

Previous news

Wed, 25 Jan 2017, 06:00

Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 25 January-31 January 2017 (New Activity / Unrest)

According to Volcano Discovery, visitors noted changes at Erta Ale's lava lake during 16-20 January characterized by waves in the lava lake, intense spattering, fountaining, and rim overflows (mainly on 17 January) which traveled as far as 1 km. During the evening of 20 January explosions of very large gas bubbles ejected spatter 30 m high. Crater rim collapses affected the N crater where a new oval-shaped pit crater (150 x 30 m and 20 m depth) formed during a 24-hour period. ... Read all

Tue, 24 Jan 2017, 14:24

Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia): massive lava lake overflows, collapses inside caldera

The lava lake overflowing on all sides on 17 Jan 2017 (Photo: Enku Mulugeta)

The volcanic activity at the shield volcano in the Danakil desert has been at extraordinary and very elevated levels recently. Participant returning from our recent eruption special tour (14-20 Jan) reported that during their stay 16-20 Jan, the lava lake's surface level has been undergoing rapid and large variations, producing massive lava lake overflows when high and intense spattering when low. ... Read all

Sat, 14 Jan 2017, 10:04

Erta Ale volcano + Dallol hydrothermal field Dec 2016 - Jan 2017 impressions

Our guest Jens-Wolfram E. who participated (for his second time!) in the most recent Danakil expedition, although still traveling, sent us a first selection of "fresh" images from both Erta Ale and Dallol. ... Read all

Thu, 12 Jan 2017, 12:05

Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia): field report 29 Dec 2016 - 1 Jan 2017

Erta Ale's lava lake on 29 Dec 2016 (image: Jens Wolfram Erben)

During their 24 December 2016 to 6 January 2017 Danakil expedition our small group spent 3 full days on the summit area of Erta Ale (from 29 Dec - 1 Jan 2017) to observe the changing activity from the two active craters (vents) inside the shield volcano´s large summit caldera. ... Read all

Thu, 29 Dec 2016, 19:40

Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia): intense activity continues, possible lava flows outside the caldera (?)

Hot spots on Erta Ale (MODIS data, Univ. Hawai'i)

Activity remains elevated at the volcano in the Danakil. The latest available information show simultaneous effusive activity from both the north and the south crater - the latter, which contained the famous lava lake has been overflowing and building a new lava shield that started to partially fill the summit caldera. ... Read all

Wed, 7 Dec 2016, 08:47

Erta Ale volcano (Ethiopia): photos from the overflowing lava lake

Two participants on our tour in mid-late November sent us impressions from the very active Erta Ale volcano (lava lake currently overflowing) and Dallol (increased activity at the hot springs). Read all

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