Dabbahu Volcano
| Dabbahu Volcano | |
|---|---|
 Dabbahu volcano (background) and Manda-Hararo rift (foreground) in 2008 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,442 m (4,731 ft)[1] |
| Listing | List of volcanoes in Ethiopia |
| Coordinates | 12°36′N 40°29′E / 12.6°N 40.48°E[1] |
| Geography | |
  Dabbahu Volcano | |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | September 2005 |
Dabbahu Volcano (also Boina, Boyna or Moina) is an active volcano located in the remote Afar Region of Ethiopia. This stratovolcano[2] is part of the Afar Triangle (Afar Depression), a highly active volcanic region which includes Erta Ale.[1] An eruption on September 26, 2005 created a large fissure in the ground, known as the Dabbahu fissure.[3]
2005 eruption
[edit]The only eruption of the volcano in recorded history occurred on September 26, 2005. Preceding the eruption, the ground swelled and an earthquake swarm consisting of over 130 events occurred.[2] Earthquakes measured 4.2 on the Richter scale.[4] 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 500 m long fissure (12°39′01″N 40°31′10″E / 12.6502°N 40.5195°E) 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.
Plate tectonics
[edit]
The volcano is located along the Somali Plate. Researchers predict that the land along this region, known as the East African Rift, will eventually break away, creating a new island consisting of eastern Ethiopia and Djibouti with a new sea in between.[5][6] Using seismic data from 2005, a research study predicted that this could occur in about one million years.[7]
Life
[edit]Scientists are studying the fissure for extremophiles.[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Dabbahu Volcano". Retrieved 30 August 2009.
- ^ a b "Dabbahu". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- ^ "Inside the Hottest Place on Earth". BBC News. 2009-03-19. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
- ^ "Quake triggers volcanic eruption in Ethiopia". Retrieved 30 August 2009.
- ^ "Scientists: New Ocean Forming in Ethiopia". Fox News. 2005-12-10. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
- ^ "Geologists have ringside seats for an ocean's birth". The Register. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
- ^ "Giant crack in Africa may create a new ocean". NBC News. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
- ^ "The Birth of an Ocean in the Hottest Desert on Earth". Retrieved 30 August 2009.