Report on Nabro (Eritrea) — 13 July-19 July 2011
Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 13 July-19 July 2011
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2011. Report on Nabro (Eritrea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 13 July-19 July 2011. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Nabro
Eritrea
13.37°N, 41.7°E; summit elev. 2218 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Toulouse VAAC reported that on 16 July an ash plume from Nabro rose to altitudes below 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. A weak eruption detected on 17 July decreased through the day then appeared to have stopped.
Geological Summary. The Nabro stratovolcano is the highest volcano in the Danakil depression of northern Ethiopia and Eritrea, at the SE end of the Danakil Alps. Nabro, along with Mallahle, Asavyo, and Sork Ale volcanoes, collectively comprise the Bidu volcanic complex SW of Dubbi volcano. This complex stratovolcano constructed primarily of trachytic lava flows and pyroclastics, is truncated by nested calderas 8 and 5 km in diameter. The larger caldera is widely breached to the SW. Rhyolitic obsidian domes and basaltic lava flows were erupted inside the caldera and on its flanks. Some very recent lava flows were erupted from NNW-trending fissures transverse to the trend of the volcanic range.
