Erta Ale is a continuously active basaltic shield volcano in the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia. Erta Ale means “smoking mountain” in the local Afar language. Erta Ale is one of the driest, lowest and hottest places on earth .It is 613 meters (2,011 ft.) high, with one or sometimes two active lava lakes at the summit which occasionally overflow on the south side of the volcano.

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