About Bilate River Field
Bilate River Field is a volcanic field rising to 1,700 meters (5,578 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
Bilate River Field is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 7.07° N, 38.10° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level, Bilate River Field is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Bilate River Field is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Bilate River Field tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Ethiopia more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is no data (checked), which influences the viscosity of the magma and, consequently, the style of eruptions this volcano produces. Rock chemistry is one of the most important factors in determining whether a volcano erupts explosively or effusively.
GVP Reference Summary
The Bilate River basin west of Lake Awasa contains a group of lake-filled maars and tuff rings of Pleistocene and probable Holocene age (WoldeGabriel 1987, pers. comm.). Active hot springs and fumaroles are located in this area.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Bilate River Field.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Bilate River Field
Is Bilate River Field an active volcano?+
Bilate River Field is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Unrest / Holocene." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Bilate River Field?+
Bilate River Field has a summit elevation of 1,700 meters (5,578 feet) above sea level. At 1,700 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Bilate River Field?+
Bilate River 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 Bilate River Field located?+
Bilate River 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 7.070° latitude, 38.100° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Bilate River Field?+
Bilate River 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.
