Satellite images have given conflicting results on the location of the eruption which began in northern Ethiopia on 4th November. ASTER satellite images show lava emitting from Alu fissure vents. MODIS satellite images indicate Dalaffilla stratovolcano. Wherever the lava originated from, it filled a depression between the two volcanoes and flowed north-east. Alu and Dalaffilla are essentially the same volcanic system being separated by only 3 km. It is rare for eruption sites so close to be named as separate volcanoes. The situation highlights the limitations in the definition and naming of volcanoes. At the other extreme there is Durango volcano in Mexico which covers 2100 sq km and contains 100 eruption sites, yet is called one volcano.
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About John Seach
- John Seach
- John Seach is a scientist and the world's leading volcano adventurer. Over the past 24 years John has traveled to the world's most exciting volcanoes, and witnessed eruptions during trips to more than 200 volcanoes. John's work has been featured on award winning television programmes. John is the founder of "Volcano Live", the world's first volcano news and volcano travel website.