Volcano · Ethiopia
Erta Ale
A basalt shield in the Danakil Depression with a lava lake on and off for decades.
Status right now
No current reports
Erta Ale is not in the latest Smithsonian weekly report or the GDACS volcano alerts. That usually means it is quiet, but not every change is reported straight away. For official alerts, follow the local volcano observatory.
Checked 5 Nov 2026, 00:33 UTC.
Key facts
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Region
- Africa
- Type
- Shield
- Summit
- 613 m (2,011 ft)
- Coordinates
- 13.600° N, 40.670° E
- Smithsonian number
- 221080
What kind of volcano is it?
Erta Ale is a shield. A shield volcano is broad and gently sloping, built from runny basalt lava that flows a long way before it cools. Eruptions are usually effusive: lava fountains and flows rather than large explosions.
Eruption history
| Date | VEI | Deaths | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 2025 | – | – | – |
1 significant eruption near Erta Ale in NOAA's Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, which lists eruptions that caused deaths, damage or a tsunami, or were VEI 6 or larger. VEI is the Volcanic Explosivity Index, from 0 to 8.
Nearby volcanoes
- Ol Doinyo LengaiTanzania · 1,894 km
- NyamulagiraDR Congo · 2,094 km
- NyiragongoDR Congo · 2,100 km
- KarthalaComoros · 2,835 km
- SantoriniGreece · 2,957 km
- EtnaItaly · 3,693 km
Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.