Dabbahu Volcano
Encyclopedia
Dabbahu Volcano is a volcano
located in the remote Afar Region
of Ethiopia
. This stratovolcano
is part of the Afar Triangle (Afar Depression
), a highly active volcanic region which includes Erta Ale
. An eruption on September 26, 2005 created a large fissure in the ground, known as the Dabbahu fissure.
occurred on September 26, 2005. Preceding the eruption, the ground swelled and an earthquake
swarm consisting of over 130 events occurred. Earthquakes measured 4.2 on the Richter scale. The eruption began 5 kilometers northeast of the summit. Ash from the eruption darkened the area surrounding the volcano for nearly 3 days.
The eruption formed a 60 km (37 mi) long fissure and a 30 m (98 ft) wide pumice cone at the fissure's southern end. Ash reached as far as the administrative center of Teru
, located 40 km (25 mi) southwest of the volcano.
The volcano is located along the Somali Plate
. Researchers predict that the land along this region, known as the Great Rift Valley
, will eventually break away, creating a new island consisting of eastern Ethiopia and Djibouti
with a new sea in between. Using seismic data from 2005, a research study predicted that this new ocean would likely be formed in about one million years.
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
located in the remote Afar Region
Afar Region
Afar is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia, and is the homeland of the Afar people. Formerly known as Region 2, its current capital is Asayita; a new capital named Semera on the paved Awash - Asseb highway is under construction....
of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. This stratovolcano
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
is part of the Afar Triangle (Afar Depression
Afar Depression
The Afar Triangle is a geological depression that is caused by the Afar Triple Junction which is part of the Great Rift Valley. It overlaps Eritrea, Djibouti and the entire Afar Region of Ethiopia. The Afar Triangle includes the Danakil Depression and the lowest point in Africa, Lake Asal...
), a highly active volcanic region which includes Erta Ale
Erta Ale
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 badlands desert area spanning the border with Eritrea, and the volcano itself is surrounded completely by an area below sea...
. An eruption on September 26, 2005 created a large fissure in the ground, known as the Dabbahu fissure.
2005 Eruption
The only eruption of the volcano in recorded historyRecorded history
Recorded history is the period in history of the world after prehistory. It has been written down using language, or recorded using other means of communication. It starts around the 4th millennium BC, with the invention of writing.-Historical accounts:...
occurred on September 26, 2005. Preceding the eruption, the ground swelled and an earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
swarm consisting of over 130 events occurred. Earthquakes measured 4.2 on the Richter scale. The eruption began 5 kilometers northeast of the summit. Ash from the eruption darkened the area surrounding the volcano for nearly 3 days.
The eruption formed a 60 km (37 mi) long fissure and a 30 m (98 ft) wide pumice cone at the fissure's southern end. Ash reached as far as the administrative center of Teru
Teru
Teru is one of the 29 woredas in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Administrative Zone 4, Teru is bordered on the south by Aura, on the southwest by Gulina, on the west by Yalo, and on the north and east by the Administrative Zone 2...
, located 40 km (25 mi) southwest of the volcano.
Plate tectonics
Somali Plate
The Somali Plate or Somalian Plate is a tectonic plate that is being formed as the African Plate is splitting along the East African Rift. The part of the African Plate which lies on the other side of the rift is sometimes referred to as the Nubian Plate...
. Researchers predict that the land along this region, known as the Great Rift Valley
Great Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley is a name given in the late 19th century by British explorer John Walter Gregory to the continuous geographic trench, approximately in length, that runs from northern Syria in Southwest Asia to central Mozambique in South East Africa...
, will eventually break away, creating a new island consisting of eastern Ethiopia and Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
with a new sea in between. Using seismic data from 2005, a research study predicted that this new ocean would likely be formed in about one million years.