Bishoftu Volcanic Field
Volcanic field · 1,850m · Ethiopia
About Bishoftu Volcanic Field
Bishoftu Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 1,850 meters (6,070 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
Bishoftu Volcanic Field is located in Ethiopia, within the Main Ethiopian Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions. Situated at 8.78° N, 38.98° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,850 meters above sea level, Bishoftu Volcanic Field 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
Bishoftu Volcanic Field 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 Bishoftu Volcanic Field 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
The Bishoftu volcanic field, also known as Debre Zeit, consists of an area of fissure-fed Holocene lava flows, cinder cones, tuff rings, and maars. Several of the maars are filled by lakes, which are popular recreational destinations from the nearby capital city of Addis Ababa. Most of the craters and cones are aligned NE-SW, parallel to the direction of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. The 750 x 1000 m Haro Maja tuff ring and its neighbor, lake-filled Kilole, are offset to the east. The cones and maars of the volcanic field were erupted through rhyolitic welded tuffs.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Bishoftu Volcanic Field.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Bishoftu Volcanic Field
Is Bishoftu Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
Bishoftu Volcanic Field 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 Bishoftu Volcanic Field?+
Bishoftu Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 1,850 meters (6,070 feet) above sea level. At 1,850 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Bishoftu Volcanic Field?+
Bishoftu Volcanic Field 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 Bishoftu Volcanic Field located?+
Bishoftu Volcanic Field 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 8.780° latitude, 38.980° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Bishoftu Volcanic Field?+
Bishoftu Volcanic Field 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.
