Afdera
Stratovolcano in Ethiopia
Key Facts
Elevation
1,250 m (4,101 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
13.088°, 40.853°
Region
Afar Rift Volcanic Province
Rock Type
Rhyolite
Tectonic Setting
Rift zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Afderà is an isolated rhyolitic stratovolcano located between the Erta Ale, Tat Ali, and Alayta ranges. It lies at the intersection of three fault systems. Young rhyolitic lava domes are aligned N-S at its southern foot.
Only a few late-stage satellitic cones are of basaltic composition. Eruptions were reported in 1907 and 1915 (Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World). However, on morphological grounds it appears to be substantially older than adjacent volcanoes, and the reported eruptions were probably from Alayta volcano to the west.
The age of the most recent eruption is not known, although the S-flank rhyolitic lava domes are too young to be dated by the Potassium-Argon method.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | Unknown | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 221110
- •Evidence: Evidence Uncertain
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
On the horizon, Afderà volcano is located SW of Lake Afrera (Lake Giulietti). This isolated rhyolitic stratovolcano is located at the intersection of three fault systems between the Erta Ale, Tat Ali, and Alayta ranges. The low lakeshore tuff ring in the foreground is surrounded by lava flows erupted from vents SE of Hayli Gubbi volcano.
Photo by Jürg Alean, 2002 (Kantonsschule Zürcher Unterland, Bülach, Switzerland).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.