About Gufa
Gufa is a volcanic field rising to 600 meters (1,969 feet) in 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
Gufa is located in Eritrea-Djibouti, within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 12.55° N, 42.53° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 600 meters above sea level, Gufa is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Gufa 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 Gufa in 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 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
The Gufa volcanic field, located along the Eritrea-Djibouti border, consists of a group of basaltic scoria cones and lava flows, aligned E-W, NE of the large Mousa Alli stratovolcano. A second E-W chain of cones is located to the N of the principal chain, most of which lies in Eritrea, and fed long lava flows that descend northward, toward the Red Sea.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Gufa.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Gufa
Is Gufa an active volcano?+
Gufa 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 Gufa?+
Gufa has a summit elevation of 600 meters (1,969 feet) above sea level. At 600 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Gufa?+
Gufa is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Gufa located?+
Gufa is located in Eritrea-Djibouti, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Afar Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 12.550° latitude, 42.530° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Gufa?+
Gufa can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Eritrea-Djibouti may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
