Severe volcanic seismic crisis near Dauphin Volcano forces thousands to evacuate, Ethiopia

Authorities in Ethiopia have launched an evacuation for thousands of people living near the Dauphin Volcano (also known as Dovan) after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck at 03:52 UTC (00:52 UTC) on January 4.

This earthquake is part of a larger volcanic seismic crisis affecting the region since December 22, 2024, with dozens of moderate to strong earthquakes, the opening of large fissures around the volcano, and a powerful new vent in the Dolisha area of ​​the Afar region releasing a mixture of gas, rock and mud.

The earthquakes began on December 22, with the USGS recording 65 quakes ranging in magnitude from 4 to 5.7. According to local residents, at least 30 houses collapsed and a number of others were damaged.

Map showing the estimated exposure of Ethiopia's population to earthquake shocks. It shows damaged areas including Addis Ababa, Nazareth, Abomsa and Metahara, following the M5.8 earthquake on January 4, 2025. Image source: USGS earthquakes near Daufne and Fintal volcanoes, Ethiopia from December 28, 2024 to January 3, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google. Data source: USGS earthquakes near Dauphin and Ventali volcanoes, Ethiopia from December 28, 2024 to January 3, 2025. Source: TW/SAM, Google. Data source: USGS. Caption: The Watchers satellite images of Fental and Dofen volcanoes, Ethiopia on December 28, 2024. Credit: CopernicusEU/Sentinel-2, EO Browser, The Watchers

The evacuation is expected to take several days due to the size of the affected area and logistical challenges including damaged roads and crippled infrastructure. Residents are being moved to temporary shelters in safer areas nearby.

Large cracks that have appeared in multiple areas, including Kilat Buri Kebele area in Haruka District, have increased the urgency of the evacuation operation.

The cracks caused an important water pump that feeds agricultural fields to stop working. In some areas the land has sunk into the valleys and fears have increased among local residents.

The Ethiopian Geological Institute reported that volcanic mudflows complicate evacuation logistics.

Footage of Mount Dauphin shows steam and gas emissions and raises fears of an imminent eruption – which would be the first known eruption of this volcano in history.

A new vent opened on Mount Dauphin and released steam, gas, rock and clay on January 3. The development followed a M5.5 earthquake recorded at 17:01 UTC about 44 km (27 mi) northeast (northeast) of Awash at a depth of 10 km (6.2 mi). The venting activity is believed to be caused by seepage of subsurface magma which may lead to hydrothermal eruptions or eruptions.

The opening of the vent showed an increase in activity and prompted local authorities to issue warnings about possible evacuations. Residents of cities such as Awash (population 11,400) and Metahara (population 23,400) reported feeling continuous tremors throughout the night.

New images from Afar, Ethiopia, near Mount Dauphin, show mud volcanoes formed by water, gases and sediment expelled by subterranean pressure. The area is close to recent seismic swarms. pic.twitter.com/7TGEfIoeqp

— Centinela35 (@Centinela_35) January 3, 2025

Professor Atalay Ayele of Addis Ababa University said: “Steam explosions may not necessarily lead to a full-blown volcanic eruption, but caution is necessary given the history of geological activity in the area.”

There are about 1,900 people living within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of Dauphin Volcano, 12,450 within 10 kilometers (6 miles), and 54,930 within 30 kilometers (19 miles).

Read more:

Satellite images taken by Sentinel-2 on December 28 showed no clear signs of lava flows, but experts noted that subsurface activity could lead to further developments.

Historical data indicate that both Mount Dauphin and Ventali volcanoes are located along the tectonically active East African Rift System making the region vulnerable to seismic and volcanic events.

The East African Rift System (EARS) extends over 3,000 km (1,860 mi) and is characterized by tectonic plate deflection, frequent earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

Mount Dauphin lies at 1,151 meters (3,776 ft) above sea level and has a history of fumarolic activity with sulfur deposits on its sides. The system's geological processes have shaped the landscape through continuous faulting and magmatism that contribute to seismic events.

In 1989, 25 earthquakes with a magnitude greater than M4.2 struck the Afar triple junction.

References:

1 M5.8 – 56 km southeast of Abomsa, Ethiopia – USGS – January 4, 2025

2M5.8 earthquake, Ethiopia – EMSC – January 4, 2025

3 strong earthquakes near Vental Volcano raise fears of a volcanic eruption, Ethiopia – Observers – December 30, 2024

4 A powerful vent opens in Dovan Volcano as a seismic crisis strikes the Afar region, Ethiopia – Observers – January 3, 2025

5 Ethiopia: Thousands evacuated due to fears of a volcanic eruption – DW – January 4, 2025

6 Ethiopia evacuates thousands facing dangerous volcanic activity in a remote area – The Washington Post – January 4, 2025

7 Ethiopia: Evacuations continue amid increased volcanic activity in the southern Afar region as of January 3 – Crisis 24 – January 3, 2025

Article writer profile

Rishika holds a Master's degree in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she received a Gold Medal, and an MCA from Mysore University, Karnataka, India. She previously worked as a Research Assistant at the National Institute for Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a junior writer to Europe Monitor on the world politics website and as an assistant editor for The World This Week. Her works have also been published in The Hindu, demonstrating her expertise in global affairs. Rishika has also received the District Level Women Empowerment Award in Haryana, India, in 2022.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos