Strong earthquakes near Fentale volcano spark eruption concerns, Ethiopia
A series of shallow earthquakes were recorded in recent days near the Fentale volcano in Ethiopia’s Main Ethiopian Rift region, raising concerns about a potential volcanic eruption. The last eruption at this volcano took place in 1820.
A map showing the recent earthquake activity near Fentale volcano in Ethiopia's Main Ethiopian Rift region, recorded between December 29 and December 30. Image credit: SAM/The Watchers
Seismic activity around the Fentale volcano in Ethiopia has increased over the past 2 days with multiple earthquakes of magnitudes ranging from 4.3 to 5.1.
The largest earthquake occurred at 22:20 UTC on December 29 measuring M5.1 with an epicenter located approximately 46 km (28 miles) north of Metahara and 119 km (74 miles) northeast of Nazret.
“Over the past few days, seismic activity in the Awash area has picked up significantly. The real number of quakes is unknown as there is no seismic network (or at least no publicly available) covering the area and only the largest events can be identified on global networks,” volcanologist Tom Pfeiffer of VolcanoDiscovery noted.
The shallow earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles) and was widely felt in the region including the capital, Addis Ababa.
The latest earthquake of M4.7 struck at 07:42 UTC on December 30 approximately 23 km (14 miles) southeast of Metahara. It originated at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles) like previous tremors.
“The risk of a new volcanic eruption in this part of the African Rift is now higher than before, because the most likely cause of the quakes is a (shallow) magma intrusion, which in turn can easily break the surface and produce an eruption,” Dr. Pfeiffer said, urging people in the area to be on alert.
Residents in nearby towns reported tremors throughout the night indicating the likelihood of numerous smaller quakes undetectable by global seismic networks.
The heightened seismic activity is believed to be linked to shallow magma intrusion beneath the Fentale volcano. The intrusion could potentially breach the surface and trigger a volcanic eruption.
Experts warn that communities within the affected area should remain alert. The epicentral regions have experienced over 7 tremors during nighttime hours suggesting that the actual number of earthquakes may be higher than those recorded.
A team from a local geological survey conducting an expedition in the region reported feeling multiple tremors in Awash town situated near the epicenters. The activity is consistent with the historical behavior of the Fentale volcano which last erupted in 1820 CE and produced basaltic lava flows from a fissure on its southern flank.
The Fentale volcano lies at the northern end of the Main Ethiopian Rift which is a tectonically active region shaped by the East African Rift System.
The rift system is characterized by frequent seismicity and volcanic activity because of the separation of the Nubia and Somalia plates. Earthquakes in this area occur at shallow depths of less than 25 km (15.5 miles) and are often associated with magmatic processes.
The geological history of Fentale includes the formation of a 2.5 x 4.5 km (1.6 x 2.8 miles) caldera with steep walls marking its summit. The caldera floor features fresh lava flows indicating ongoing volcanic activity over the millennia. The region’s most recent eruptions were rhyolitic and trachytic in composition which produced lava flows and ash deposits.
The affected region is home to over 3.4 million people within a 100 km (62 miles) radius of the Fentale volcano. Nearby towns, including Metahara (population of 23 400) and Awash (population of 11 400) are vulnerable. The seismic activity has caused alarm among residents though no damage or injuries have been reported so far.
Authorities and monitoring agencies have issued advisories urging residents to prepare for potential evacuations if the volcanic activity intensifies. The lack of a local seismic network complicates efforts to accurately monitor the situation but global seismic data and satellite imagery provide crucial insights into the evolving threat.
The East African Rift System (EARS), extending over 3 000 km (1 864 miles) is the world’s most prominent continental rift. The system encompasses active volcanoes, normal faulting, and seismicity driven by the divergence of tectonic plates. In the Ethiopian Rift, seismic events are often linked to magma movement within the crust leading to both tectonic and volcano-tectonic earthquakes.
Past events in the region include the 1989 earthquake swarm in the Afar Triple Junction which featured 25 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than M4.2 over a 48 hour period.
The Fentale volcano’s eruptive history includes 2 confirmed Holocene eruptions. The most recent eruption in 1820 CE involved basaltic lava flows from a 4 km (2.5 miles) fissure while an earlier eruption around 1250 CE produced extensive rhyolitic flows. Historical accounts describe the destruction of an Abyssinian town and church during the 13th-century eruption.
References:
1 Ethiopia earthquake – EMSC – December 30, 2024
2 Ethiopia earthquake – EMSC – December 29, 2024
3 Ethiopia earthquake – USGS – December 30, 2024
4 Fentale – GVP – Accessed on December 30, 2024
5 Fantale volcano (Ethiopia): earthquakes intensify, increased risk of volcanic eruption – By Tom Pfeiffer – VolcanoDiscovery – December 29, 2024
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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