Alayta Volcano | John Seach

john

Ethiopia

12.88 N, 41.57 E
summit elevation 1501 m
shield volcano

Alayta Volcano is located in the Danakil depression south-west of Lake Afera (Giulietti). Extensive lava flows surround the volcano in all directions.

The volcano covers 2700 sq km. In the WNW the lava flows of Alayta volcano reach the escarpment of the Ethiopian plateau. The volcano has been built from lava flows from fissures. The main fissures are located NNW of the volcano. There are some faults on the eastern side of the volcano which run in a N-S direction and have produced some lava flows.

An eruption in 1907 produced lava flows on the eastern side of Alayta volcano The main tectonic trend is parallel to the Erta Ale Range.

Further reading
Eagles, G., Gloaguen, R. and Ebinger, C., 2002. Kinematics of the Danakil microplate. Earth and Planetary Science Letters203(2), pp.607-620.

Barberi, F., Borsi, S., Ferrara, G., Marinelli, G. and Varet, J., 1970. Relations between tectonics and magmatology in the northern Danakil Depression (Ethiopia). Philosophical Transactions for the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, pp.293-311.

Alayta Volcano Eruptions

1915, 1907