Thermal anomalies of variable intensities at Erta Ale’s N and S pit craters were periodically identified in satellite images during August. On 1 August there were two anomalies in the S pit crater and none in the N pit crater. Images were cloudy on 6 and 11 August. On 16 August two anomalies were again visible in the S pit crater while one large anomaly occupied the N crater. Translucent weather clouds obscured views on 21 August, though two anomalies were visible in the S pit crater. Dense weather clouds covered the N pit crater on 26 August and obscured the S pit crater, though one anomaly was visible.

Geological Summary. The Erta Ale basaltic shield volcano in Ethiopia has a 50-km-wide edifice that rises more than 600 m from below sea level in the Danakil depression. The volcano includes a 0.7 x 1.6 km summit crater hosting steep-sided pit craters. Another larger 1.8 x 3.1 km wide depression elongated parallel to the trend of the Erta Ale range is located SE of the summit and is bounded by curvilinear fault scarps on the SE side. Basaltic lava flows from these fissures have poured into the caldera and locally overflowed its rim. The summit caldera usually also holds at least one long-term lava lake that has been active since at least 1967, and possibly since 1906. Recent fissure eruptions have occurred on the N flank.

Source: Sentinel Hub