Erta Ale – Ethiopia
| Description | Detail |
|---|---|
| Field Title | Erta Ale – Ethiopia |
| Basin Name | Danakil Depression |
| Age (Host) | Modern |
| Type of Resource | Active volcanic system |
| Play Type | Sub-aerial |
| Type of volcanic rock or influence | Pahoehoe lava/ ‘a’a lava, volcanic crater |
Introduction
Erta Ale is one of the oldest active lava lakes on the planet and the volcano marks a fantastic modern example of a large shield volcano in an emerging rift setting. The location in the Afar triangle (Danakill Depression), sees the volcanic systems interacting with evaporite basins (see also the Dallol example).
Play/Analogue Type
The volcanic centre at Erta Ale provides an example of a modern shield volcano along and emerging rift segment of the east African rift. many classic volcanic features can be observed, including both pahoehoe and ‘a’a lavas and localised craters and rift depressions.
Other information
As part of an expedition to the volcano, which also appeared on BBC/Discovery, a 3D model of the lava lake and a nearby fissure were made (Jerram & Smith, 2010).
Key References
Jerram, D. and Smith, S. (2010) Earth’s Hottest Place. Geoscientist, Volume 20, No. 2, 12–13. https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geoscientist/Archive/
February-2010/Earths-hottest-place
