Erta Ale volcano (Danakil depression, Ethiopia): new magma batch triggered lava overflow in southern crater, spectacular dome-shaped fountaining from hornito

Powerful dome-shaped lava fountains from the hornito in the southern pit crater (image: Seifegebreil Shifferaw)

The activity at the volcano’s southern pit crater has been increasing since last week.

A new batch of magma returned to the sizable hornito in the crater by generating vigorous dome-shaped lava fountains. The lava has been layering on the solidified lava lake crust in the broad part in the south and a bit in the east. The lava flow continues to advance towards the southern rim of the caldera.

The effusive eruption started to accelerate some time between 22 and 23 January, as it was identified in the Sentinel-2 satellite image and even witnessed by local guides.

Pahoehoe-type lava flow advances to the southern caldera rim (image: Seifegebreil Shifferaw)

Pahoehoe-type lava flow advances to the southern caldera rim (image: Seifegebreil Shifferaw)