Ethiopia Erta Ale volcano. Erta Ale volcano eruption in Ethiopia
Volcano Nyiragongo is located in national park Virunga in the Congo on the border with Rwanda. It is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa: 34 eruptions have been recorded since 1882, including many periods when activity has been continuous for many years.
The main crater of the volcano is 250 meters deep and 2 km wide, it sometimes forms a lava lake. According to the amount of lava, the lake of the Nyiragongo volcano is the most voluminous of the lava lakes today. The depth in the lake is largely dependent on the activity of the volcano. The maximum observed level of lava in the crater reached 3250m.
Nyiragongo's lava is unusually liquid and flowing, similar features are caused by a special chemical composition - it contains very little quartz. Thus, during an eruption, lava flows flowing along the slope of the volcano can reach speeds of 100 km / h.
Between 1894 and 1977, there was an active lava lake in the crater, and on January 10, 1977, when the walls of the crater collapsed, a massive eruption occurred. It lasted about an hour and claimed 70 lives, wiping out nearby villages, and although it was impossible to determine the exact number of deaths, according to unofficial estimates, there were about several thousand.
To date, the eruptions of the Nyiragongo volcano are considered unprecedented, because no other volcano in the world has such steep walls and a lava lake with such a dangerous composition.
Another strong eruption occurred in January 2002. However, fortunately, people were warned about the danger. 400,000 people managed to evacuate. And yet, many who did not hear about the impending eruption paid dearly for it. 147 people died during the eruption from asphyxiation and the effects of an earthquake caused by the activity of the volcano.
Nyiragongo erupted again 6 months later. The volcano continues to be active to this day. In June 2012, a team of scientists and intrepid explorers set foot on the shore of a lava lake boiling in the depths of the Nyiragongo crater. These pictures were taken by Oliver Grunewald during an expedition to the lake of the Nyiragongo crater.
In the northeast of Ethiopia, in the Danakil Desert, is located active volcano Erta Ale, in the crater of which you can see streams of molten lava escaping from the very center of the earth. Due to the constant activity, as a result of which clouds of smoke continually appear above the surface of the volcano, Erta Ale volcano got its name, which means “Smoking volcano” in Russian.
Erta Ale is a basalt shield volcano, one of the five volcanoes on our planet, in the heart of which there is a lava lake. But only Erta Ale has not one, but two such sites. The tectonic pattern on the surface of the lava lakes of the Erta Ale volcano is constantly changing. Here you can see both long-frozen areas of magma, forming a thin crust, and very fresh, easily destroyed islands. This process is accompanied by chaotic splashes of bright red molten lava and emissions of accumulated gas. The chemical composition of Erta Ale magma is compared with deep-sea volcanoes located in the middle part of the mountain range at the bottom of the ocean. In both cases, there is a low content of silicic acid in the magma.
In recent years, the volcano has become more unpredictable. If in 2004 the lake in the crater of the volcano turned into a tectonic stronghold, holding out in this state for almost 20 months, then in November 2010 the volcano woke up with unexpected force. The eruption was accompanied by aftershocks, which significantly affected the state of the faults in the northeast. Scientists are closely monitoring changes in the activity of the volcano, as it is located in an important seismic zone called the Afar Triangle. Noticeable plate shifts and an increase in the width of faults can significantly change geographical map our planet, in particular, affect the entire African continent.
From year to year, steadfastly overcoming all the difficulties of a dangerous journey, about 500-1000 tourists and researchers get to the crater of the volcano. Being so close to the center of the volcano is incredibly difficult due to the high air temperature (about 50 ° C) and acid fumes. Moreover, to get to the lava lakes in the mouth of the volcano, you need to walk about 13 km on foot.
Erta Ale Volcano - PHOTO
The activity of the Ethiopian volcano Erta Ale has awakened an intense surge of magma and the overflow of one of the lava lakes. The phenomenon lasted until the collapse of the flank eruption, until January 21, according to The Daily Mail. Similar was observed in February 2010. Then the level of one lake rose by 30 meters (10 floors), which led to the overflow of the lake and to the spread of drops of scorching lava into the atmosphere.
Scientists explain the event that took place this year as follows: in the region of lava lakes (which are more than one century old), in the Afar Valley, tectonic plate shifts occurred, as a result of which many underground volcanoes "opened up". And on January 21, 2017, about 7 km from the top of the volcano, new cracks opened, from which burning magma erupted onto the surface. It should be noted that since 1906 the lakes have been continuously seething and spraying the nearby territories with red-hot rock.
In the northeast of Ethiopia, in the remote region of Afar, the Erta Ale volcano is located ( "Smoking Mountain") is the most active volcano and one of five known to have a lava lake. A unique and the only volcano in the world that has two lava lakes at once. The shape of the volcano is basalt, shield; height - 613 m; mountain system- East African rift valley. The last eruption was recorded in 2012.
Every year, courageously overcoming all the difficulties of a dangerous journey, about 1000 tourists and researchers get to the crater of the volcano. Approaching the center of the volcano is quite difficult due to the high air temperature - about 50 ° C and acid fumes. But the most striking thing is that to get to the lava lakes in the mouth of the volcano, you need to walk about 13 km on foot.
invites you to incredible adventure to one of the brightest and most mysterious countries of the African continent - Ethiopia. In the company of a popular blogger and enthusiastic traveler Sergey Doli, we will get acquainted with the descendants of one of the oldest civilizations on the planet, spend the night under the stars at the mouth of the seething Erta Ale volcano and plunge into ancient times, getting to know the legendary city of Lalibela.
You and I have to cross about half of the territory of Ethiopia, getting to the very borders of Eritrea in the Danakil Desert. We will spend the night under the starry African sky in open air "hotels", enter hot springs, plunge into the "Dead Sea" of Africa - the Afdera salt lake, where you can lie and even sit on the water surface, climb the Dallol volcano shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. Located 200 meters below sea level, it is the hottest place on our planet. We will also visit the Assal salt lake, where at sunset we will watch the endless caravans of camels carrying bales of salt. In addition, we have to set up a night camp at the seething mouth of the Erta Ale volcano and enjoy the cosmic beauty of this amazing place!
At the end of our adventure, we will head to the famous city of Lalibela, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. Lalibela is a city of monasteries and churches carved into the rocks, reaching 10 meters in height. On the this moment Eleven stone churches of the 12th century have been preserved, which are a UNESCO heritage. Each church has its own unique architectural style, each has magnificent carvings, and each has well-preserved old paintings.
Breathtaking landscapes and majestic mountains, unique flora and fauna, primitive tribes, bizarre interweaving of history, traditions, destinies and different cultures make Ethiopia the most colorful and most adventurous country in Africa. Therefore, get ready for an amazing trip that will definitely enter the top five vivid impressions in your life. During the trip, Sergey Dolya will help you take bright and memorable pictures, and in the evenings discuss with you what it means to dedicate your life to traveling.
It should be noted that our adventures will be filmed by a quadrocopter, and upon returning home, we will mount a beautiful film for the participants as a keepsake.
Efiopia is my old dream. I have tried several times to get there, but every time the trip failed. 100 years ago, our poet, Nikolai Gumilyov, traveled through Ethiopia and took photographs of this country. In fact, he was the first blogger to travel to this country. I want to drive through the same places 100 years later and see what has changed..
Program.
Day 1.
Arrival in Addis Ababa. Check-in at the guesthouse. Rest. Excursion to Addis Ababa (visiting the museum with the skeleton of Lucy, the market, a cafe with fresh juices, Pushkin Square, Orthodox Church, mountains overlooking the city). In the evening flight to Mek'ele. Check-in at the hotel in Mekele.
Day 2
Departure by jeeps to the Danakil desert. In the evening climb Erta Ale volcano. Descent into the crater, observation of the lava lake. Overnight in huts on the edge of the outer crater.
Day 3
Descent into the crater, meeting the dawn. Breakfast. Excursion to the second crater of the volcano. Rest.
Sunset at the lava lake in the evening.
Day 4
Dawn at the lava lake. Descent from the volcano. Transfer to Afdera lake. Swimming in the lake, tour of the salt mines. Overnight on the shore of the lake under the open sky.
Day 5
Transfer to lake Assal. At sunset, watch the caravans of camels carrying salt. Overnight stay in the open air.
Day 6
Climbing the colorful volcano Dallol. Visit to salt mines. Visit to the salt canyon. The road to Mekele. Check in hotel.
Day 7
Transfer to Lalibela. On the way, stop in Veldia, where we will see the real life of the Amhara and Raya peoples. Overnight in Lalibela.
Day 8
Breakfast. Moving to the famous Christian churches carved into the rock. Visit to the northwestern group of churches: Bet Medhane Alem, Bete Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danagkhel, Bet Mikael and Bete Golgotha (women are not allowed). After lunch, visit the southeastern group of churches: Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Mercorios, Bet Amanuel, Bet Abba Libanos. At the end of the day, visit the most famous church 0 Bet Giorgis, considered the most elegant and best preserved church. Overnight in Lalibela.
Day 9
Breakfast. Airport transfer. Flight to Addis Ababa. Flight to Moscow.
One of the most impregnable volcanoes in the world is Erta Ale. The Great African Rift is 6,000 kilometers long in northern Ethiopia. In the depths of the tectonic basin, the earth's crust under gigantic pressure is torn into three plates, which move away from each other, dividing Africa. Afar Basin (Afar basin) is located in the active part of the rift, which arose due to volcanic activity.
Features of Erta Ale volcano
Erta Ale, a mystical volcano located in the Danakil depression. The territory of the Danakil Basin, this piece of land heated by magma, is the most unpredictable geological zone on the planet. The Afar Desert is considered the most inhospitable and hottest on the planet. This desert has always frightened researchers, including because of the cruel customs of the Afar tribes.
Erta Ale is the most impregnable volcano given its remoteness, temperature fluctuations and the hostile environment around. At the bottom of a huge caldera is the unique lava lake Erta Ale. Around the lake there are concentric faults, constant tremors bring down entire layers along the edges of the crater.
A lava lake is the result of a combination of many factors, it is a huge accumulation of magma fed from a deep source with its own course. Hot magma comes out, cools down and sinks again, convection occurs. In order for a lava lake to exist for years, it is necessary that the heat of the incandescent flow that feeds the lake exactly compensate for the heat loss of the surface flow, which then goes back to the depth. Such mixing of matter is a very fragile and unstable balance. As soon as this balance is disturbed, the lake cools down, for example, in 2004 it froze for 20 months.
The lava lake is just a moment in the life of a volcano, Erta Ale emerged from the depths of the sea and gradually formed about 4 million years ago. The first evidence of the presence of a lava lake in this place dates back to 1890, then no one saw it, but red flashes in the sky clearly indicated the presence of such a phenomenon. The first person who saw Erta Ale with his own eyes was Garun Taziyev in 1960. The oval caldera is 1800 meters long and 750 meters wide. The volcano has two funnels - southern and northern.
A caldera is a huge volcanic crater, a very strong eruption is needed, which will empty part of the magma reservoir or the entire reservoir. Then, when the magma pocket empties, the magma no longer supports the roof of the reservoir and the volcano itself collapses inward, forming a caldera. The caldera is often the same size as the magma reservoir. Over the years, lava filled the caldera to the brim, and it flowed down the south and north sides of the crater.
Erta Ale, mystical mountain
Erta Ale - means a smoking mountain, an Afar legend says that one should not approach its top because the spirits of shepherds on winged horses rush around it and do not let anyone in.
The flow of hot and light magma rises and flows over the surface, cools down, becomes heavier, and sinks again to the depth, where it dissolves into magma. The lake is fed from a deep source - a magma reservoir, and under it is a source that feeds a rift. The surface of the lake is cooling, but it is still hot and soft, and under the pressure of fresh, constantly rising magma, it folds.
At the other end of the caldera, the Erta Ale volcano, there is a southern crater, fumaroles are active. In the depths of the crater, ornithos smoke, they are formed from clots of lava that are layered on top of each other creating small conical structures. This lake was active until 1987, it bubbled just a few meters from the crest of the crater, and then it froze for many years. In 2004, lava suddenly appeared in just four days, the whole sky was blazing with a glow, it could be seen 80 kilometers from the volcano.
In the northern and southern sinkholes, there was a time during the two years from 1972 to 1974 when both lava lakes overflowed at the same time for two years. Lava filled the caldera to the brim, and then began to flow down the slopes of the volcano along the southern and northern sides.
On the Erta Ale volcano, there are goddesses of fire, strength and creation - these are very thin threads of hot ash stretched by the wind, stretching they take the form of long and thin hair. The gases escaping from the volcano consist mainly of steam, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, and such a rare gas as radon.
A lava lake is the top of a magma column that has come to the surface - a kind of window into the bowels of the earth. This lake is permanently connected to a magma chamber located at a depth of 2 kilometers. The subject of research on lava lakes is extensive, for example, by placing microphones as close as possible to the lake, you can measure the pressure of gas bubbles emerging from the magma chamber and bursting on the surface. So you can draw a conclusion about the depth of the volcanic vent, and sometimes about its diameter. Also, using a telemeter, you can accurately determine the level of the lake. Regular fluctuations of the lake are 2 - 3 meters, they are repeated every 2 - 4 hours. Aerial photography allows you to see regular changes in the relief of both funnels, landslides, dips, swelling reaching tens of centimeters and even meters.
