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Why is Erta Ale a shield volcano?
Erta Ale (or Ertale or Irta’ale; Amharic: ኤርታሌ) is a continuously active basaltic shield volcano in the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia. It is situated in the Afar Depression, a barren desert area. Erta Ale is the most active volcano in Ethiopia….
| Erta Ale | |
|---|---|
| Last eruption | 2005 to 2020 |
How was Erta Ale formed?
Beneath the ground surrounding Erta Ale is an enormous pool of active magma. The lake goes through cycles and will cool, form a black layer on top, and then suddenly convect back into liquid lava. Occasionally, due to pressure, “fountains” of lava will form, spewing lava in 6- to 13-foot-high plumes.
What kind of volcano is Erta Ale?
basaltic shield volcano
“Erta’Ale is a basaltic shield volcano, 500 m high, with a base 50 km across. On its top an ellipse-shaped sinkhole opens, elongated NNW-SSE, which is the main tectonic direction of the Danakil depression. Two pit-craters, one small, one big, both with a molten lava-lake each, are gaping in the sink’s northern half.
What type of eruptions does Erta Ale produce?
In Africa’s Danakil (or Afar) Depression three tectonic plates are tearing themselves apart in spectacular fashion. As the plates separate, several active volcanoes have emerged along the seams. One of the most active is Erta Ale, a shield volcano near the Ethiopian and Eritrean border.
What continent is Erta Ale volcano?
lake
Erta Ale is a shield volcano in the Afar region of East Africa. Erta Ale is a remote and rarely visited volcano that is known currently to have an active lava lake in its summit crater.
When was the last eruption of Erta Ale?
2009
Erta Ale/Last eruption
What type of boundary is Erta Ale on?
The Erta Ale Range is a volcanic chain in Ethiopia’s Afar Region, part of the East African Rift System where tectonic plates are pulling apart. In early November 2008, a volcanic eruption occurred in this region, producing an extensive lava flow.
When did Erta Ale last erupt?
What type of plate boundary is Erta Ale on?
What kind of boundary is Erta Ale on?
When did Erta Ale first erupt?
Erta Ale has undergone seven eruption events in the past 125 years. Three of the early eruption dates, 1873, 1903, and 1904 are uncertain. However, 1906, 1940, 1960, and 1967 are well established events. Erta Ale has been erupting continuously since 1967.
Is Erta Ale on a tectonic plate?
The Erta Ale Range is a volcanic chain in Ethiopia’s Afar Region, part of the East African Rift System where tectonic plates are pulling apart. This volcanic range derives its name from its most prominent feature, the Erta Ale Volcano. …
What type of volcano is Erta Ale?
Erta Ale is a basaltic shield volcano rising 613 metres out of the Danakil Depression. The volcano contains an active lava lake, which means the lava in the crater remains liquid due to convection currents of the magma system underneath.
What is ererta ale?
Erta Ale (meaning ‘Smoking Mountain’ in the Afar language) is Ethiopia’s most active volcano and contains one of just six active lava lakes on Earth. Sitting in the Danakil Depression under 40°C (104°F) heat, it’s as unforgiving as it is visually staggering.
How big is the depression at Erta Ale?
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.
What is the best time to visit Erta Ale?
Most tours include: Local guides recommend walking to Erta Ale after sunset due to the extremely high temperatures registered in the area during the day. Although it is possible to go to Erta Ale all year round, visitors should keep temperatures in mind.