Mousa Alli
Stratovolcano · 1,993m · Ethiopia-Eritrea-Djibouti
About Mousa Alli
Mousa Alli is a stratovolcano rising to 1,993 meters (6,539 feet) in Ethiopia-Eritrea-Djibouti'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
Mousa Alli is located in Ethiopia-Eritrea-Djibouti, within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 12.47° N, 42.40° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,993 meters above sea level, Mousa Alli 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
Mousa Alli 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 Mousa Alli in Ethiopia-Eritrea-Djibouti 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 rhyolite, a silica-rich volcanic rock associated with highly viscous magma. Rhyolitic eruptions can be extremely explosive and are responsible for some of the largest volcanic events in Earth's history, including supervolcanic caldera-forming eruptions. The high silica content traps dissolved gases, building enormous pressure that can lead to catastrophic explosive releases.
GVP Reference Summary
The Mousa Alli volcanic complex is a large Holocene stratovolcano constructed along the border between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. The trachytic-to-rhyolitic volcano is the most prominent topographic feature in this area. Rhyolitic lava domes and lava flows are found in the summit region, which is truncated by a caldera.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Mousa Alli.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Mousa Alli
Is Mousa Alli an active volcano?+
Mousa Alli 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 Mousa Alli?+
Mousa Alli has a summit elevation of 1,993 meters (6,539 feet) above sea level. At 1,993 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Mousa Alli?+
Mousa Alli 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 Mousa Alli located?+
Mousa Alli is located in Ethiopia-Eritrea-Djibouti, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 12.469° latitude, 42.404° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Mousa Alli?+
Mousa Alli can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Ethiopia-Eritrea-Djibouti may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
