About Dabbayra
Dabbayra is a shield rising to 1,302 meters (4,272 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
Dabbayra is located in Ethiopia, within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 12.38° N, 40.07° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,302 meters above sea level, Dabbayra is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Dabbayra 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 Dabbayra 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
Dabbayra, the westernmost volcano of the Afar depression, was constructed along an offshoot of the Ethiopian escarpment, SW of the Teru plain. In contrast to structural trends in other parts of Afar, Dabbayra (also known as Bar-Ali) consists of a basaltic shield volcano elongated ENE-WSW. The only silicic volcanic rocks are a NNW-trending line of lava domes and lava flows near the crest of the volcano.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Dabbayra.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Dabbayra
Is Dabbayra an active volcano?+
Dabbayra 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 Dabbayra?+
Dabbayra has a summit elevation of 1,302 meters (4,272 feet) above sea level. At 1,302 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Dabbayra?+
Dabbayra is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Dabbayra located?+
Dabbayra is located in Ethiopia, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 12.380° latitude, 40.070° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Dabbayra?+
Dabbayra 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.
