Sork Ale

Sork Ale is a stratovolcano in the Danakil Alps with a summit at 1,611 meters. The mountain features a caldera roughly one kilometer across, and steep basalt walls rise about 300 meters at the peak, creating a dramatic ridge along the top.

The volcano was active during the Holocene period and left behind multiple scoria cones from explosive eruptions. These formations show that the region experienced volcanic processes thousands of years ago.

The dark basalt slopes shape the landscape and serve as a key landmark for nomadic communities in the region. Local herders use the plateaus around the mountain as grazing land and navigate the terrain through knowledge passed down over generations.

The mountain lies in a remote area of northeastern Ethiopia and requires careful planning and local guidance to reach. Visitors should be prepared for challenging terrain and extreme conditions in this harsh landscape.

Satellite vents on the southeastern flank created an extensive lava field spreading westward across the landscape. This dark lava plain often lies hidden under gray ash, revealing the region's volcanic past in striking detail.

Location: Kilbet Rasu

Elevation above the sea: 1,611 m

Made from material: basalt

Part of: Great Rift Valley

GPS coordinates: 13.18544,41.72370

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:40