About Boset
Boset is a stratovolcano(es) rising to 2,447 meters (8,029 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
Boset is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 8.56° N, 39.48° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 2,447 meters above sea level, Boset 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 composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Boset 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 Boset 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 Boset volcanic complex includes the Boset-Gudda (Great Boset) and Boset-Bericha (Little Boset) composite volcanoes rising above the floor of the Ethiopian Rift valley. Initial basaltic-to-trachytic activity at Gudda followed by rhyolitic effusive and explosive eruptions resulted in the formation of a caldera, a remnant of whose rim is found on the NW flank. Elsewhere, post-caldera activity produced very recent pantelleritic obsidian fissure-fed lava domes and flows that buried the caldera wall. Flank eruptions from fissures parallel to the rift produced voluminous pantelleritic lava flows. Bericha has produced similar very recent obsidian flows and associated pumice flows. Fissures connecting the edifices have erupted basaltic lava flows.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Boset.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Boset
Is Boset an active volcano?+
Boset 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 Boset?+
Boset has a summit elevation of 2,447 meters (8,029 feet) above sea level. At 2,447 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Boset?+
Boset is classified as a Stratovolcano(es). Stratovolcano(es) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Boset located?+
Boset 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 8.558° latitude, 39.475° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Boset?+
Boset 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.
