Global Volcanism Program

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports available for Aluto.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Aluto.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Aluto.

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

221270

1550 CE

2,335 m / 7,661 ft

7.77°N
38.78°E

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Composite

Volcano Types
Stratovolcano
Lava dome(s)
Pyroclastic cone(s)

Rock Types

Major
Rhyolite
Dacite
Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

6,011
25,619
314,216
6,813,710

Geological Summary

Aluto, between lakes Zway and Langano (Mirrga), is a stratovolcano with multiple vents aligned along NNE-SSW and E-W fissures along a narrow graben between the two lakes. This silicic volcanic center lies along the regional Wonji Fault Belt and has produced abundant pumice-flow and pumice-fall deposits, along with lesser rhyolitic lava flows. Obsidian lava flows erupted from craters along the fissures have descended the flanks in all directions. Cinder cones, lava domes, phreatic explosion craters, and thermal springs are structurally controlled. The oldest known eruptions produced the Hulo-Seyno Ignimbrite about 155,000 years ago. The latest eruptions produced obsidian flows and pumice breccias about 2,000 years ago. Eruptive products overlie recent basaltic lava flows to the west. Strong fumarolic activity continues.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Di Paola G M, 1972. The Ethiopian Rift Valley (between 7° 00' and 8° 40' lat north). Bull Volcanol, 36: 517-560.

Gianelli G, Teklemariam M, 1993. Water-rock interaction process in the Aluto-Langano geothermal field (Ethiopia). J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 56: 429-445.

Hutchison W, Fusillo R, Pyle D M, Mather T A, Blundy J D, Biggs J, Yirgu G, Cohen B E, Brooker R A, Barfod D N, Calvert A T, 2016. A pulse of mid-Pleistocene rift volcanism in Ethiopia at the dawn of modern humans. Nature Communications, 7, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms13192

Katsui Y (ed), 1971. List of the World Active Volcanoes. Volc Soc Japan draft ms, (limited circulation), 160 p.

Mohr P A, Mitchell J G, Raynolds R G H, 1980. Quaternary volcanism and faulting at O'a caldera, central Ethiopian Rift. Bull Volcanol, 43: 173-190.

WoldeGabriel G, 1987. (pers. comm.).

Eruptive History

There is data available for 5 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1550 ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Tephra sample from E flank of edifice

1550 ± 50 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

Pumiceous pyroclastic deposits were sampled on the E flank of the edifice by Hutchison et al. (2016); charcoal was ¹⁴C dated at 0.40 ± 0.05 cal ka (1550 ± 50 CE).

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra sample from E flank of edifice

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Tephra
	- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

0050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

0050 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

Obsidian flows and pumice breccias ¹⁴C dated at about 2,000 years ago (Gianelli and Teklemariam, 1993).

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow	Obsidian.
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

6200 BCE ± 1680 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Tephra sample from Deka Wede (W of caldera)

6200 BCE ± 1680 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

Pumice overlying a paleosol was sampled at Deka Wede, W of the caldera; charcoal and melanoides shells were ¹⁴C dated at 9.55 ± 0.28 to 6.60 ± 0.13 cal ka (multiple references as reported in Hutchison et al., 2016).

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra sample from Deka Wede (W of caldera)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

7280 BCE ± 2000 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Tephra sample from Haroresa (S of caldera)

7280 BCE ± 2000 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

Pumice bracketed by gravels was sampled at Haroresa, S of the caldera; melanoides shells were ¹⁴C dated at 11.12 ± 0.11 to 7.29 ± 0.06 cal ka (Benvenuti et al., 2013, as reported in Hutchison et al., 2016).

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra sample from Haroresa (S of caldera)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

10900 BCE ± 1630 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Tephra sample from Deka Wede (W of caldera)

10900 BCE ± 1630 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

Pumice overlying fluvial sands, above the Abernosa pumice, was sampled at Deka Wede, W of the caldera; charcoal and melanoides shells were ¹⁴C dated at 12.26 ± 0.27 to 9.55 ± 0.28 cal ka (multiple references as reported in Hutchison et al., 2016).

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra sample from Deka Wede (W of caldera)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Pumice

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Synonyms

Alutu

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Aluto

Stratovolcano

Photo Gallery

Alutu volcano lies between the light-brown Lake Mirrga (Lake Langano) to the S and green-blue Lake Zway to the N. Several craters are aligned along NNE-SSW and E-W fissures. Dark-colored obsidian lava flows erupted from craters along the fissures and descended the flanks in all directions. Although the age of the most recent eruption is not known, its eruptive products overlie recent basaltic lava flows to the W and strong fumarolic activity continues.

NASA International Space Station image ISS001-363-7, 2001 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).

Aluto is a caldera in Ethiopia with features including lava flows, pumice cones, explosive deposits, and 96 identified vents within and around the caldera, shown in this November 2019 satellite image monthly mosaic (N is at the top; this image is approximately 12 km across). Darker obsidian lava flows are visible around the 6 x 9 km caldera.

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2019 (https://www.planet.com/).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 1 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number	Sample Description	Lava Source	Collection Date
NMNH 111525	Welded-Pantelleritic Tuff	--	--

External Sites

Copernicus Browser

The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions.

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments.

Volcanic Hazard Maps

The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Aluto. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Aluto. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Aluto

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).