About Shala
Shala is a caldera rising to 2,075 meters (6,808 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
Shala is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 7.46° N, 38.56° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 2,075 meters above sea level, Shala 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 caldera, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Shala 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 Shala 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 rhyolite, a silica-rich volcanic rock associated with highly viscous magma. Rhyolitic eruptions can be extremely explosive and are responsible for some of the largest volcanic events in Earth's history, including supervolcanic caldera-forming eruptions. The high silica content traps dissolved gases, building enormous pressure that can lead to catastrophic explosive releases.
GVP Reference Summary
The Shala (also known as O'a) caldera along the central Main Ethiopian Rift forms the eastern portion of the 15 x 25 km Lake Shala. Formation of the caldera about 240,000 years ago was accompanied by the eruption of two ignimbrite deposits, the first of which was strongly welded. The only post-caldera activity consists of two pyroclastic cones to the N, one silicic and the other basaltic, and a group of tuff rings, spatter cones, and lava flows of Holocene age near the SW shore of the lake. These were erupted along the Corbetti-Shalla segment of the Wonji Fault Belt, which extends N from Corbetti caldera. Fumarolic activity continues on all sides of the lake.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Shala.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Shala
Is Shala an active volcano?+
Shala 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 Shala?+
Shala has a summit elevation of 2,075 meters (6,808 feet) above sea level. At 2,075 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Shala?+
Shala is classified as a Caldera. Calderas are large volcanic depressions formed when a volcano erupts so powerfully that its magma chamber collapses, creating a basin that can be kilometers wide. They are often sites of some of Earth's largest eruptions.
Where is Shala located?+
Shala 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 7.457° latitude, 38.557° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Shala?+
Shala 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.
