About Mallahle
Mallahle is a stratovolcano rising to 1,875 meters (6,152 feet) in Ethiopia-Eritrea'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
Mallahle is located in Ethiopia-Eritrea, within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 13.27° N, 41.65° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,875 meters above sea level, Mallahle 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
Mallahle 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 Mallahle in Ethiopia-Eritrea 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 trachyte / trachydacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
GVP Reference Summary
Mallahle is the central of three NE-SW-trending stratovolcanoes (along with Asavyo and Nabro) in the Danakil horst SW of Dubbi volcano. These volcanoes, plus Sork'Ale, form the Bidu Volcanic Complex. The volcano is truncated by a steep-walled 6-km-wide caldera, and is formed of rhyolitic lava flows and pyroclastics. Basaltic lava flows cover the slopes. Recent obsidian flows are found on the NW flank, and older obsidian flows were erupted on the northern caldera floor. Flank spatter and scoria cones are most numerous on the western side of the volcano. Extensive ignimbrite deposits associated with the collapse of Mallahle and Nabro volcanoes cover the countryside.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Mallahle.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Mallahle
Is Mallahle an active volcano?+
Mallahle is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Mallahle?+
Mallahle has a summit elevation of 1,875 meters (6,152 feet) above sea level. At 1,875 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Mallahle?+
Mallahle 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 Mallahle located?+
Mallahle is located in Ethiopia-Eritrea, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 13.270° latitude, 41.650° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Mallahle?+
Mallahle can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Ethiopia-Eritrea may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
