INTO THE INFERNO - Boiling Erta Ale Lava Lake

EFFUSIVE ERUPTION – Erta Ale Volcano Lava Lake, Afar Desert, Ethiopia
An effusive eruption is a type of volcanic eruption in which lava steadily flows out of a volcano onto the ground or into the crater. Effusive eruption differs from explosive eruption, wherein magma is violently fragmented when expelled from a volcano. The shape of the lava flows created by effusive eruptions is governed by the type of lava, rate and duration of eruption, and slope of the surrounding areas.

A volcanic eruption is effusive when low-viscosity magma, usually basaltic in composition, is released from the Earth's crust. In an effusive eruption, gas escaped the magma freely or in the form of bubbles as it erupts and forms lava that flows continuously. This type of lava flow builds type of volcano called Shield volcano.

Erta Ale – volcano hidden in the middle Ethiopian Afar Desert is typical example of Volcano Lava Lake with Effusive Eruption. Usually these type of eruption are scenic and may be called even artistic since form of lava and its shaping in flows could be visually tempting.

There are very few Lava lakes in the world. Beside Erta Ale there are only 3 major volcanoes in the world which contain lava lakes – Kilauea in Hawaii, Erebus in Antarctica and Nyiragongo in Republic of Congo (minor lava lakes are also in Vanuatu in South Pacific). However Erta Ale even very difficult to reach since is located in the middle of Afar Desert close to Danakil Depression – the hottest place in the world – offer best condition to observe active lava lake in from very close – basically from distance of couple of meters!

My good luck was that during the visit in the area Erta Ale (November 2015) lava lake was in very active stage of eruption with lava lake surface elevated to the edge of the pit crater - some 40 meters above normal level!

Cheers and Enjoy

Jiri