About Dofen
Dofen is a shield rising to 1,151 meters (3,776 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
Dofen is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 9.35° N, 40.13° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,151 meters above sea level, Dofen 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
Dofen 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 Dofen 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 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 Dofen shield volcano rises 450 m above the Awash plain in the northern Main Ethiopian Rift. Numerous cinder cones, constructed along a 10-km-long, N-S-trending line, occur on the flanks of the dominantly rhyolitic volcano. The northern cones are younger, have well-preserved morphologies, and display strong fumarolic activity. A major fumarole in a wide S-flank crater has precipitated large amounts of sulfur. The latest eruptions occurred during the Holocene (WoldeGabriel 1987, pers. comm.), and it is known as the "smoking mountain".
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Dofen.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Dofen
Is Dofen an active volcano?+
Dofen 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 Dofen?+
Dofen has a summit elevation of 1,151 meters (3,776 feet) above sea level. At 1,151 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Dofen?+
Dofen is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Dofen located?+
Dofen 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 9.350° latitude, 40.130° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Dofen?+
Dofen 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.
