About Mat Ala
Mat Ala is a shield rising to 493 meters (1,618 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
Mat Ala is located in Ethiopia, within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 13.11° N, 41.16° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At just 493 meters above sea level, Mat Ala is a relatively low-elevation volcanic feature. Despite its modest height, it remains an active geological formation with the same underlying magmatic processes as its taller counterparts. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Mat Ala 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 Mat Ala 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
Mat Ala is a low shield volcano in the southern Tat Ali Range, east of Afderà volcano. A 300-m-deep, 2.5 x 3.5 km wide caldera is found at the summit of the volcano, whose flanks are cut by numerous N-S-trending faults. Mat Ala has been active during the Holocene, and fumarolic activity occurs along a fissure SW of the volcano.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Mat Ala.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Mat Ala
Is Mat Ala an active volcano?+
Mat Ala 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 Mat Ala?+
Mat Ala has a summit elevation of 493 meters (1,618 feet) above sea level. At 493 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Mat Ala?+
Mat Ala is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Mat Ala located?+
Mat Ala is located in Ethiopia, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 13.106° latitude, 41.161° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Mat Ala?+
Mat Ala 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.
