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Alutu Volcano | John Seach
(Aluto)
Ethiopia
7.77 N, 38.78 E
summit elevation 2335 m
Stratovolcano
Alutu Volcano is located between Lake Zway and Lake Langano. It has an elongated NNE-SSW base axis about 15 km long. The volcano is part of the Wonji Fault Belt in the central part of the Main Ethiopian Rift.
The volcano has several craters (up to 1 km in diameter) located at different altitudes. The craters are commonly aligned NNE-SSW. Alutu contains silicic pyroclastics such as pumice flows, pumice falls, ash, and rhyolitic lava flows.
Recent eruptions have occurred at Alutu volcano because its products (pyroclastics and lava) cover recent basaltic lava flows to the West and a hyaloclastite ring to the North, and because the volcano has strong fumarolic activity.
Eight exploratory geothermal wells were drilled at Alutu-Langano geothermal field between 1981-1985. Well depths ranged from 1300 to 2500 m. The temperature measured in the wells ranged from 88°C to 335°C. Five of the wells were productive.
Eruptions of Alutu Volcano
The most recent eruption at Alutu volcano is dated 2000 years ago, and consisted of obsidian flows and pumice.
The oldest eruption of Alutu is thought to be represented by a fissure eruption of Hulo-Seyno ignimbrite dated at 155,000 + 8000 years.
Further reading
Biggs, J., et al. "Volcano Deformation in the Main Ethiopian Rift." EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts. 2012.
Alutu Volcano Eruptions
2000 years ago
Strong fumarolic activity is present at the volcano.