Elevated Thermal Readings Observed in Ethiopia’s “Gateway to Hell”

by Mateo Gonzalez
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Erta Ale Volcano

Erta Ale, an active volcano in Ethiopia, was captured in a satellite photo on November 27, 2023, by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on the Landsat 8 spacecraft.

Situated in the East African Rift, Erta Ale is Ethiopia’s most dynamic volcano.

Erta Ale’s consistent thermal activity is a result of its location in the Danakil (or Afar) Depression of East Africa, where the divergence of three tectonic plates allows magma to ascend to the surface. This activity fuels numerous active volcanoes in the area, with Erta Ale being the most prominent among them.

Distinctive Characteristics of Erta Ale

Known locally as the “smoking mountain” and the “gateway to hell,” Erta Ale has a persistent lava lake in its summit crater, which has been active since at least 1967, and possibly as early as 1906. The Landsat 8 satellite’s OLI captured this phenomenon on November 27, 2023, with the heat from the molten rock emitting an infrared signal (red).

Recent Volcanic Phenomena

Starting in mid-September 2023, satellite data revealed unusual thermal patterns in the volcano’s summit crater. The Global Volcanism Program reports these anomalies may be linked to recent eruptions involving spatter cones and minor lava flows within the crater. Due to the remoteness and inaccessibility of the area, much of the knowledge about Erta Ale’s volcanic behavior is derived from satellite imagery.

Lava Flow Dynamics and Effects

Although the summit is frequently active, lava also flows in other areas of Erta Ale. Particularly, between January 2017 and March 2020, fissure eruptions in the southeastern caldera released copious amounts of basaltic lava, which cascaded down the volcano’s slopes. This resulted in lava covering roughly 30 square kilometers (12 square miles), portions of which are visible in the image, extending to the northeast and southwest.

This image was produced by Lauren Dauphin of NASA Earth Observatory, utilizing data from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Landsat program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Erta Ale Volcano

What is Erta Ale and where is it located?

Erta Ale is Ethiopia’s most active volcano, situated in the East African Rift, specifically in the Danakil (or Afar) Depression.

Why is Erta Ale referred to as the “Gateway to Hell”?

Erta Ale is known as the “Gateway to Hell” due to its persistent lava lake and dramatic volcanic activity, which have been a constant feature since at least 1967.

How was the recent activity of Erta Ale volcano detected?

The recent activity of Erta Ale was detected through satellite imagery, specifically by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the Landsat 8 satellite, which identified thermal anomalies.

What significant events occurred at Erta Ale between 2017 and 2020?

Between January 2017 and March 2020, Erta Ale experienced fissure eruptions in its southeast caldera, producing extensive basaltic lava flows that covered about 30 square kilometers.

What challenges are faced in studying Erta Ale’s volcanic activity?

Studying Erta Ale’s volcanic activity is challenging due to the volcano’s remote location and inaccessibility, making satellite observations a crucial method for monitoring.

More about Erta Ale Volcano

  • Erta Ale Volcano Information
  • Satellite Imagery of Volcanoes
  • Understanding Thermal Anomalies
  • East African Rift Volcanism
  • Landsat 8 Satellite Data
  • Global Volcanism Program Reports
  • Ethiopia’s Geological Features
  • Volcanic Activity Monitoring Techniques

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