Erta Ale

Erta Ale (Ethiopia) is a shield volcano. It rises to 585 m above sea level. The GVP records 4 confirmed eruptions in the Holocene, the latest in 2025.

Elevation: 585 m
Last eruption: 2025
Confirmed eruptions: 4
Max VEI: 0
Country: Ethiopia
Location: 13.60° N, 40.67° E
Region (GVP): Afar Rift Volcanic Province
GVP type: Shield
Tectonic setting: Rift zone / Intermediate crust (15-25 km)
Main rock type: Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Show on the timeline GVP entry ↗

Other volcanoes and strong earthquakes within 300 km

Eruption history

VEI – Volcanic Explosivity Index: 0 = lava outpouring, 4 = like Eyjafjallajökull 2010, 6 = like Pinatubo 1991, 7 = like Tambora 1815. The scale is logarithmic – each step is about 10 times more material.

Start	End	Vent and dating
c. 2 July 1967	7 August 2025	Observations: Reported
16 January 1960	—	Observations: Reported
2 July 1940	—	Observations: Reported
16 May 1906	—	Observations: Reported

Data: Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution (#221080)