About Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field
Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 604 meters (1,982 feet) in Yemen's Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field is located in Yemen, within the Southwest Arabia Volcanic Province of the broader Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.07° N, 48.30° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 604 meters above sea level, Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic 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
Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic 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 Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Yemen more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. 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 Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field along the Gulf of Aden in southern Yemen contains cinder cones associated with vesicular lava flows and scoria cones. The 500 km2 field lies along the Gulf of Aden about 120 km SW of the city of Al Mukalla. Lava flows covered much of the area and created an irregular shoreline. One fresh-looking basaltic flow may be of historical age (Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World). The At-Tabâb tuff cone along the coast rises about 200 m from the sea and has a 1.5-km-wide crater partially filled by a cinder cone and associated lava flows. An adjacent tuff cone to the east contains a lake.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field
Is Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic 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 Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field?+
Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 604 meters (1,982 feet) above sea level. At 604 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field?+
Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic 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 Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field located?+
Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field is located in Yemen, in the Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southwest Arabia Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 14.067° latitude, 48.300° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field?+
Balhaf-Bir Ali Volcanic Field can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Yemen may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
