Erta Ale
| Erta Ale | |
|---|---|
 Erta Ale in May 2008 |
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| Elevation | 613 m (2,011 ft) [1] |
| Listing | List of volcanoes in Ethiopia |
| Location | |
 Erta Ale
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| Range | Erta Ale Range |
| Coordinates | 13°36′N 40°40′E / 13.6°N 40.667°ECoordinates: 13°36′N 40°40′E / 13.6°N 40.667°E[2] |
| Geology | |
| Type | Shield volcano |
| Last eruption | 2010 (continuing)[2] |
Erta Ale is a continuously active basaltic shield volcano in the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia, the most active volcano in Ethiopia. It is in the Afar Depression, a badland desert area spanning the border with Eritrea, and the volcano itself is surrounded completely by an area below sea level,[citation needed] making it a relatively low-elevation volcano.
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[edit] Geology
Erta Ale is 613 metres (2,011 ft) high, with one or sometimes two active lava lakes at the summit which occasionally overflow on the south side of the volcano.[1] It is notable for being the longest-existing lava lake, present since the early years of the twentieth century (1906). Volcanoes with lava lakes are very rare: there are only four in the world.[3]
Erta Ale means "smoking mountain" in the local Afar language and its southernmost pit is known locally as "the gateway to hell". In 2009 it was mapped by a team from the BBC using three dimensional laser techniques.[4] As the lakes have searingly hot temperatures, laser scanning, which can map any surface at a distance, was used.
Not much is known about Erta Ale as the surrounding terrain is some of the most inhospitable on earth and the native Afar people have a legendary reputation for viciousness towards outsiders; one travel guide recommends hiring "one or maybe two armed guards or police" to visit Erta Ale.[5] However, they welcomed and helped a team from BBC.[6] On January 16, 2012 a group of German, Austrian and Hungarian scientists was attacked on their way to Erta Ale. Five scientists/tourists were executed on site, some taken as hostages others were injured while trying to escape [7].
[edit] Eruptions
There was a major eruption on 25 September 2005 which killed 250 head of livestock and forced thousands of nearby residents to flee.[8] There was further lava flow in August 2007, forcing the evacuation of hundreds and leaving two missing.[9] An eruption on 4 November 2008 was reported by scientists at Addis Ababa University.[10]
[edit] Gallery
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The lava lake in the caldera of Erta Ale.
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Erta Ale volcano (EA) and Ethiopian Highlands (EH) as seen from space
[edit] In popular culture
The lava lake on Erta Ale was recently shown briefly during the 2010 movie Clash of the Titans during the journey sequence where Perseus travels to the underworld.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Erta Ale, Ethiopia". Volcano World. http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/img_erta_ale.html. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
- ^ a b "Erta Ale". Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0201-08=. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
- ^ "Episode 1: The Horn of Africa". On the Volcanoes of the World. The Science Channel. Retrieved on 24 December 2010.
- ^ Hottest Place On Earth, Episode 2 at bbc.co.uk
- ^ Briggs, Philip; Brian Blatt (2009). Ethiopia: the Bradt Travel Guide (Fifth ed.). Chalfont St Peter: Bradt Travel Guides. p. 313. ISBN 9781841622842.
- ^ Staff writers (19 March 2009). "Inside the hottest place on Earth". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7950845.stm. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
- ^ http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/4375/Deadly-attack-on-tourists-at-Erta-Ale---further-details.html
- ^ "Focus on Ethiopia, September 2005", UN-OCHA . Retrieved 25 February 2009.
- ^ "Fears after volcano in Ethiopia". BBC News. 2007-08-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6948138.stm. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
- ^ "Volcano erupts in Ertale volcanic area of Afar Region", Ethiopian News Agency website . Retrieved 20 January 2010.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Erta Ale |
