Dabbahu
Stratovolcano in Ethiopia
Key Facts
Elevation
1,401 m (4,596 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
12.595°, 40.480°
Region
Afar Rift Volcanic Province
Rock Type
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Tectonic Setting
Rift zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Dabbahu (also known as Boina, Boyna, or Moina) is a Pleistocene-to-Holocene volcanic massif forming an axial range of the Afar depression SSW of the Alayta massif. Late-stage pantelleritic obsidian flows, lava domes, and pumice cones form the summit and upper flanks. The volcano rises above the Teru Plain and was built over a volumetrically dominant base of basaltic-to-trachyandesitic lava flows of a shield volcano.
Late-stage basaltic fissure eruptions also occurred at the NW base of the volcano. Abundant fumaroles are located along the crest of the volcano and extend NE towards Alayta. The first historical eruption took place from a fissure vent on the NE flank in September 2005, producing ashfall deposits and a small pumice dome.
More than 6000 people were evacuated from neighboring villages.
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 | 21 years ago | Recent | Recently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 221113
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
The slopes of Dabbahu volcano in the background are part of a large volcanic massif consisting of obsidian flows, lava domes, cones, and basaltic lava flows constructed on a shield volcano. This view from the N with people for scale shows Da'Ure, a 500-m-long fissure vent formed during the first historical eruption in September 2005. A small dome was formed during the eruption. The central part of the volcano lies farther to the right off the margin of the photo.
Photo by Anthony Philpotts, 2005 (University of Connecticut).
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.