Thousands of civilians are being evacuated from a remote area in northeastern Ethiopia due to potentially dangerous volcanic activity at Mount Dofen. Steam eruptions have been seen since Thursday, raising fears of a full-blown eruption that could put many people at risk.
The evacuations are precautionary, with residents being taken to safer areas within the region. However, geophysics expert Atalay Ayele says the steam eruptions may not necessarily lead to a volcanic eruption.
Afar is one of Ethiopia’s driest and hottest regions, prone to drought, famine, and flooding. The region has experienced frequent evacuations in recent years due to natural disasters.
The long-dormant volcano of Mount Dofen has caused significant damage, including huge cracks on critical infrastructure and dozens of damaged properties. Volcanic mud has also been released, causing further destruction.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/ethiopia-evacuating-thousands-facing-dangerous-210840717.html