About Ale Bagu
Ale Bagu is a stratovolcano rising to 988 meters (3,242 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
Ale Bagu is located in Ethiopia, within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 13.51° N, 40.63° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 988 meters above sea level, Ale Bagu is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Ale Bagu 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 Ale Bagu 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
Ale Bagu, also known as Ummuna, is an elongated stratovolcano located SW of Erta Ale volcano. In contrast to other volcanoes of the Erta Ale Range, it is located SW of the axis of the range, and is mantled by basaltic pyroclastic rocks. Summit craters are elongated along a NNW-SSE trend. The main crater is a steep-walled, 750 x 450 m depression occupied by a steep-sided lava cone that has fed trachytic lava flows over the crater floor. Silicic lavas from the axial regional fissure extend to the NW and SE.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Ale Bagu.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Ale Bagu
Is Ale Bagu an active volcano?+
Ale Bagu 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 Ale Bagu?+
Ale Bagu has a summit elevation of 988 meters (3,242 feet) above sea level. At 988 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Ale Bagu?+
Ale Bagu is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Ale Bagu located?+
Ale Bagu is located in Ethiopia, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 13.512° latitude, 40.631° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Ale Bagu?+
Ale Bagu 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.
