About East Ziway
East Ziway is a fissure vent(s) rising to 1,889 meters (6,198 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
East Ziway is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 7.87° N, 38.90° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,889 meters above sea level, East Ziway 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
East Ziway 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 East Ziway 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
A large area of basaltic cinder cones and lava flows lies within about 5 km of the SE shore of Lake Ziway, and also forms islands along its E shore. About 80 vents were formed along the East Ziway segment of the Wonji Fault Belt. The youngest lava flows have been unaffected by the latest tectonic faulting along the Ethiopian Rift.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for East Ziway.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About East Ziway
Is East Ziway an active volcano?+
East Ziway 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 East Ziway?+
East Ziway has a summit elevation of 1,889 meters (6,198 feet) above sea level. At 1,889 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is East Ziway?+
East Ziway is classified as a Fissure vent(s). Fissure vent(s) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is East Ziway located?+
East Ziway 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 7.874° latitude, 38.902° longitude.
Is it safe to visit East Ziway?+
East Ziway 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.
