Ma Alalta
Stratovolcano in Ethiopia
Key Facts
Elevation
1,745 m (5,725 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
13.013°, 40.185°
Region
Afar Rift Volcanic Province
Rock Type
Rhyolite
Tectonic Setting
Rift zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
The Ma Alalta stratovolcano, also known as Pierre Pruvost, is located well to the west of the Danakil depression at the foot of the regional Ethiopian scarp, between two large horsts of uplifted basement blocks. A large trachytic and rhyolitic stratovolcano at the center of the complex contains nested oval-shaped summit calderas, 8 x 5 km and 5 x 2. 5 km.
Ignimbrite deposits, perhaps associated with formation of the larger caldera, extend beyond the volcano primarily to the NE and SE. Young basaltic lava flows were erupted on the NW, SE, and E flanks. Recent silicic activity has produced pantelleritic obsidian domes and lava flows on the southern flank.
Fumarolic activity continues at one of the domes.
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: 221111
- •Evidence: Evidence Credible
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
The Ma Alalta stratovolcano (center), also known as Pierre Pruvost, is located W of the Danakil depression. There are two elongate, nested summit calderas, 6 km and 4 km wide in the long direction. Young basaltic lava flows were erupted on the NW, SE, and E flanks of the volcano, and young pantellerite obsidian domes and lava flows were erupted on the S flank.
NASA Landsat image, 1999 (courtesy of Hawaii Synergy Project, Univ. of Hawaii Institute of Geophysics & Planetology).
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.