Asavyo

Shield in Ethiopia

Key Facts

Elevation

1,338 m (4,390 ft)

Type

Shield

Location

13.098°, 41.599°

Region

Afar Rift Volcanic Province

Rock Type

Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Asavyo, also known as Bara’Ale, is the SW-most of three large silicic stratovolcanoes (along with Mallahle and Nabro) constructed along a NE-SW-trending line in the Danakil horst. A large 12-km-wide caldera truncates the summit. Basaltic lava flows cover the flanks, which merge into the Mogorros plains to the south.

Although the age of the volcano is not known precisely, Asavyo was considered to have erupted during last 2,000 years (IAVCEI, 1973). A large post-caldera cone was constructed near the center of the caldera, and smaller pyroclastic cones occur within the caldera and on its flanks.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate

Infrastructure RiskModerate

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Silica Content

Low (45-52% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone

Continental rift or intraplate setting with varied eruptive styles.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Evidence Credible

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	Unknown	Historical	Historically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Eastern Africa Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

•Smithsonian ID: 221104
•Evidence: Evidence Credible
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Asavyo volcano, near the center of this NASA Landsat image, is the SW-most of three large silicic stratovolcanoes of uncertain age constructed along a NE-SW-trending line in the Danakil horst. Basaltic lava flows blanket the flanks of Asavyo, which merge into the Mogorros plains to the south. The caldera at the bottom right-center is Oyma volcano, Mallahle volcano lies beneath the clouds at the top center, and Sorkale volcano occupies the circular dark-colored area at the upper right.

NASA Landsat image, 1999 (courtesy of Hawaii Synergy Project, Univ. of Hawaii Institute of Geophysics & Planetology).