Introduction to Unusual Volcanic Activity

There is an unusual occurrence happening beneath an Ethiopian national park. Volcanic and seismic activities have increased under Mount Fentale, a volcano, but the gas emission is not typical of an impending eruption. Instead of the expected gases, substantial amounts of methane are being released from the ground.

Methane Emissions from Mount Fentale

According to GHGSat, a Canadian company that monitors greenhouse gases, the amount of methane being emitted from Mount Fentale is considerable. As of January 31, the volcano was releasing 58 metric tonnes of methane every hour. GHGSat began monitoring the situation after receiving a tip from the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, which operates several Earth observation satellites.

John Stix, a geology professor at McGill University, notes that the amount of methane is unusual for volcanoes, which typically release gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas, accounting for around 11% of global emissions, and it is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat.

Possible Causes of Methane Emissions

The abundance of methane compared to other gases suggests that the cause may not be magma rising to the surface but rather the movement of magma deep underground opening a gas deposit. Fortunately, the emissions seem to be slowing down, with GHGSat’s Jason McKeever reporting a decline in emissions since February 9.

Recent Activity at Mount Fentale

It has been over two centuries since the last Mount Fentale eruption in 1820, which resulted in a 2.5-mile-long fissure and a lava flow. Prior to that, the last recorded eruption was in the 13th century, destroying an Abyssinian town and church south of the mountain. There were signs of activity at Mount Fentale before the methane detection, including satellite radar indicating magma intrusion in September and thermal anomalies detected by satellites in January.

Neighboring Volcanic Activity

Mount Fentale is located in Awash National Park, home to another volcano, Mount Dofan. In early January, plumes of smoke began seeping out of vents in Mount Dofan, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of people as a precaution. There have been strong seismic events in the weeks leading up to the volcanic activity, but no full-blown eruption has occurred yet. According to the Global Volcanism Program, there is no record of an eruption at Mount Dofan during the current geologic era, which spans 11,700 years.

Conclusion

While volcanic activity is difficult to predict, even for experts, the current situation at Mount Fentale and Mount Dofan is being closely monitored. The emission of methane from Mount Fentale is an unusual occurrence, and its causes are still being investigated. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to stay informed about the latest developments and any potential risks associated with volcanic activity in the region.