About Dama Ali
Dama Ali is a shield rising to 1,068 meters (3,504 feet) in Ethiopia's Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1631 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Dama Ali is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 11.28° N, 41.63° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,068 meters above sea level, Dama Ali 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
Dama Ali 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 Dama Ali 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.
Eruption History Summary
Dama Ali has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1631 CE to 1631 CE.
GVP Reference Summary
Dama Ali is a broad 25-km-wide shield volcano that rises above the NW shore of Lake Abbe in eastern Ethiopia. Nested circular craters are located at the summit of the dominantly basaltic volcano, which also displays an older caldera rim. An arcuate chain of rhyolitic lava domes occupies the northern, western, and southern flanks. Youthful basaltic lava flows surround these domes and cover the flanks, and recent flows also cover the young sediments of the Kalo and Abhe basins. The Asmara basaltic pyroclastic cone located in the southern Kalo basin SW of the base of the volcano was considered to have had activity during the last 2,000 years (IAVCEI, 1973). It is considered the most likely source of an eruption reported to have occurred in 1631 (Gouin, 1979). Major fumarolic activity occurs in the summit crater, and abundant hot springs are found on the volcano.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1631 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Volcano Uncertain |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Dama Ali
Is Dama Ali an active volcano?+
Dama Ali is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in 1631 CE, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did Dama Ali last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Dama Ali occurred in 1631 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Dama Ali has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Dama Ali?+
Dama Ali has a summit elevation of 1,068 meters (3,504 feet) above sea level. At 1,068 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Dama Ali?+
Dama Ali is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Dama Ali located?+
Dama Ali is located in Ethiopia, in the Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 11.280° latitude, 41.630° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Dama Ali?+
Dama Ali 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.
