About Beru
Beru is a volcanic field rising to 1,100 meters (3,609 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
Beru is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 8.95° N, 39.75° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,100 meters above sea level, Beru 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
Beru 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 Beru 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.
GVP Reference Summary
An area of Holocene basaltic lava flows is located along the Main Ethiopian Rift at Beru, between Fentale and Kone (Gariboldi) volcanoes.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Beru.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Beru
Is Beru an active volcano?+
Beru 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 Beru?+
Beru has a summit elevation of 1,100 meters (3,609 feet) above sea level. At 1,100 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Beru?+
Beru 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 Beru located?+
Beru 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 8.950° latitude, 39.750° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Beru?+
Beru 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.
