Nearly a month after satellites detected massive methane plumes spewing from Ethiopia’s Mount Fentale on January 31, 2025, new data shows emissions have declined since February 9—yet ongoing seismic unrest, including a magnitude 6.0 earthquake on February 14, keeps scientists and locals on high alert.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit near Fentale volcano, Ethiopia at 20:28 UTC on February 14, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Ethiopia’s southern Afar and northern Oromia regions are experiencing an ongoing seismo-volcanic crisis that has injured two people, displaced over 60 000 residents, and caused extensive infrastructure damage since December 22, 2024.
A series of strong earthquakes, a newly opened volcanic vent, and the appearance of large cracks near the long-dormant Dofen volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region triggered the evacuation of thousands of people on January 4, 2025.
A new vent opened at Dofan volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region, releasing powerful jets of steam, rocks, and mud on January 3, 2025. The development comes during a series of earthquakes recorded in the region since December 22 and raised concerns about a potential volcanic eruption — which would be the first on record.
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.
