Butajiri-Silti Field
Volcanic field · 2,281m · Ethiopia
About Butajiri-Silti Field
Butajiri-Silti Field is a volcanic field rising to 2,281 meters (7,484 feet) in Ethiopia's Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Butajiri-Silti Field is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 8.05° N, 38.35° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 2,281 meters above sea level, Butajiri-Silti Field rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Butajiri-Silti Field is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near Butajiri-Silti Field in Ethiopia generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
The Butajiri-Silti volcanic field consists of a large group of basaltic cinder cones, maars, and lava flows in an 80-km-long, NE-SW-trending area near the west margin of the Ethiopian Rift. At least 13 maars, many filled by lakes, are located near the town of Debre Zeit, SE of the capital city of Addis Ababa. The maars were erupted through Pleistocene rhyolitic lava flows and tuffs. Eruptions of the younger basaltic cinder cones were contemporaneous with those that produced the maars. Some of the lava flows associated with the cinder cones are very young and are considered to be prehistorical in age (Di Paola, 1972).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Butajiri-Silti Field.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Butajiri-Silti Field
Is Butajiri-Silti Field an active volcano?+
Butajiri-Silti Field is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Butajiri-Silti Field?+
Butajiri-Silti Field has a summit elevation of 2,281 meters (7,484 feet) above sea level. At 2,281 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Butajiri-Silti Field?+
Butajiri-Silti Field is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Butajiri-Silti Field located?+
Butajiri-Silti Field is located in Ethiopia, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 8.050° latitude, 38.350° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Butajiri-Silti Field?+
Butajiri-Silti Field can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Ethiopia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
