Scientific response to the 2024–2025 dyke intrusions in the Fentale-Dofen Region, Ethiopia: geophysical monitoring, surface manifestations, and hazard mapping
In continental rifts, tectonic deformation, magmatic processes, and earthquakes interact dynamically reflecting the crust's complex response to extensional stress and evolving subsurface and surface conditions. Recent seismotectonic activity in the Fentale-Dofen region of the Main Ethiopian Rift was driven by the intrusion of several dykes reaching up to ~ 50 km in length observed using satellite radar interferometry. Over 300 earthquakes with magnitude 4 or greater were reported by international seismic networks and the GNSS site at Addis Ababa moved ~ 20 mm to the west. These and other observations on the ground were used to create a highly simplified hazard map and 75,000 people were evacuated. Although no magmatic eruption occurred, the earthquakes triggered landslides and caused infrastructure damage, especially to buildings and roads. Here we provide a preliminary analysis of the patterns of earthquakes, ground deformation, and surface manifestations from 2024 to 2025, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms contributing to seismic sequences in the area and key unresolved scientific questions. We discuss how scientific evidence was used to inform decision-makers and examine the short- and long-term implications for critical infrastructure and nearby communities. Finally, we emphasize the importance of real-time monitoring, proactive risk management, and the need for continuous observation and improved early warning systems to reduce future seismic and volcanic risks.
Authors
- Derek Keir (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8787-8446)
- Alessandro La Rosa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1858-1109)
- Yelebe Birhanu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0631-883X)
- Lin Way (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3781-2227)
- Filagot Mengistu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3006-823X)
- Carolina Pagli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9072-3004)
- Yaqub Ali (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9328-2227)
- Weiyu Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3355-6684)
- Susan Loughlin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7218-9664)
- Atalay Ayele (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8726-5380)
- Jeffrey T. Freymueller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0614-0306)
- Juliet Biggs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4855-039X)
- Raphaël Grandin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1837-011X)
- Elias Lewi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0250-8639)
- Hua Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8025-4032)
- Tim Wright
- Tesfaye Temtime
- Genet Assefa
Institutions
- South China Agricultural University (CN)
- University of Pisa (IT)
- University of Leeds (GB)
- British Geological Survey (GB)
- Institut de physique du globe de Paris (FR)
- University of West London (GB)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute (ET)
- GeoSAS (Ethiopia) (ET)
- Scope Group (United States) (US)
- Centre for the Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tectonics (GB)
- University of Southampton (GB)
- EarthScope Consortium (US)
- University of Florence (IT)
- Addis Ababa University (ET)
- Michigan State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Bulletin of Volcanology
- Published
- 2025-07-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-025-01852-x
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- earthquake and tectonic studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.73
Funders
- Simons Foundation
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Agenzia Spaziale Italiana
- H2020 European Research Council
- H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions