About Fentale
Fentale is a stratovolcano rising to 2,007 meters (6,585 feet) in Ethiopia's Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1789 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Fentale is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 8.98° N, 39.91° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 2,007 meters above sea level, Fentale rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. 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
Fentale 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 Fentale 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.
Eruption History Summary
Fentale has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1789 CE to 1789 CE.
GVP Reference Summary
Fentale is a volcanic complex at the N end of the Main Ethiopian Rift that includes a main stratovolcano and caldera with various subsidiary features. Products are primarily rhyolitic obsidian lava flows with minor tuffs. Welded pantelleritic ash flows accompanied formation of a 2.5 x 4.5 km elliptical summit caldera, with steep-sided walls, that trends WNW-ESE, perpendicular to the rift. Post-caldera vents lie along the same orientation. Lava flows that appear to be more recent are present on the NE and SW flanks, and dark trachytic and obsidian lava flows occur on the caldera floor. Sometime during about 1770-1808 CE basaltic lava flows effused from a 3.5-km-long fissure on the S flank; there were also lava flows in the caldera. During 2015 there was a seismic swarm and deformation NE of Fentale, caused by a dike intrusion that Temtime et al. (2020) determined was about 6 km long (striking N29°E) and 2 m wide, with a depth range of 5.4-8 km below the surface (volume change of about 33 x 106 m3).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1789 | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | Caldera floor and SW flank |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Fentale
Is Fentale an active volcano?+
Fentale is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in 1789 CE, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did Fentale last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Fentale occurred in 1789 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Fentale has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Fentale?+
Fentale has a summit elevation of 2,007 meters (6,585 feet) above sea level. At 2,007 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Fentale?+
Fentale 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 Fentale located?+
Fentale 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 8.985° latitude, 39.906° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Fentale?+
Fentale 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.
