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Manda Hararo

Shield(s) in Ethiopia

Last Eruption: 2009

Key Facts

Elevation

600 m (1,969 ft)

Type

Shield(s)

Location

12.170°, 40.820°

Region

Afar Rift Volcanic Province

Rock Type

Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

As the southernmost axial range of western Afar, the Manda Hararo complex is located in the Kalo plain, SSE of Dabbahu volcano. The massive 105-km-long and 20-30 km wide complex represents an uplifted segment of a mid-ocean ridge spreading center. A small basaltic shield volcano is located at the N end of the complex, S of which is an area of abundant fissure-fed lava flows.

Two basaltic shield volcanoes, the larger of which is Unda Hararo, occupy the center of the complex. The dominant Gumatmali-Gablaytu fissure system lies to the S. Voluminous fluid lava flows issued from these NNW-trending fissures, and solidified lava lakes occupy two large craters.

The small Gablaytu shield volcano forms the SE-most end of the complex. Lava flows from Gablaytu and from Manda overlie 8,000-year-old sediments. Hot springs and fumaroles occur around Daorre lake.

The first historical eruptions produced fissure-fed lava flows in 2007 and 2009.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

    Risk Level

    Population at RiskModerate
    Infrastructure RiskHigh
    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
    Eruption Observed

    Eruption Statistics & Analysis

    MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
    Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
    Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
    Recent Activity17 years agoRecentRecently active

    Monitoring & Alert Status

    Monitoring Networks

    Global Volcanism Program
    International eruption database

    Current Status

    Watch
    Dormant but monitored. Capable of renewed activity.

    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: 221115
    • Evidence: Eruption Observed
    • Epoch: Holocene

    About the Photo

    Steam rises from new fissures that fed lava flows at the Manda Hararo complex, as seen on 20 August 2007. The Manda Hararo complex is the southernmost axial range of western Afar. The massive complex is 105 x 20-30 km and represents an uplifted segment of a mid-ocean ridge spreading center. Voluminous lava flows erupted from NNW-trending fissures.

    Photo courtesy of Gezahegn Yirgu, 2007 (Addis Ababa University).

    Basic Information

    This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.