UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

ALÌD VOLCANO IN THE COLONY OF ERITREA (Translation of Angelo Marini's "IL VULCANO ALÌD NELLA COLONIA ERITREA")*

Edited and Translated by Jacob B. Lowenstern1 and Francesco Villa2

Open File Report # 98-218

1 U.S. Geological Survey, Mail Stop 910, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025 2 Frantel Inc., 13847 Skyline Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95030 ______*originally published in L'Universo (1938) volume 19, p. 51-65 and p. 131-170

For additional information Copies of this report can be obtained write to: from: Jacob B. Lowenstern U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services 345 Middlefield Road, MS 910 Box 25286 Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA Denver, CO 80225-0286 USA email: [email protected] Tel: 303-202-4700; Fax: 303-202-4693

1998

i Contents

Title Page ...... i Table of Contents ...... ii Plate 1 ...... iii Summary...... 1 Preface ...... 1 Translator's Foreword ...... 2 Alìd Volcano in the Colony of Eritrea (L'Universo: Jan. 1938, v. 19, p. 51-65 ...... 3 Alìd Volcano in the Colony of Eritrea (continuation: Feb. 1938, v. 19, p. 131-170) ...... 12 Lava Fields ...... 12 Alluvium ...... 21 Rocks ...... 22 Basaltic Rocks ...... 23 Liparitic Rocks ...... 23 Dacitic Rocks ...... 24 Water, Gaseous Emanations, etc ...... 24 Seismic ...... 26 Toponomy (Derivation of Place Names) ...... 29 Orography ...... 30 Water, Watershed, Basins ...... 30 Localities, -- Regions ...... 32 Products ...... 33 Surveying ...... 35 Surveying Data ...... 37

Appendix I Alìd Volcano nella Colonia Eritrea original page numbers 51-65 Photocopy of the original manuscript (in Italian) Appendix II Alìd Volcano nella Colonia Eritrea: Continuation original page numbers 131-170 Photocopy of the original manuscript (in Italian)

ii M. Biteito t) wes 150 th Nor ield ( 200 va F Oss La 500

Enda Ald

300 Made Passo di Eghidd 400 500 R. Corcor rto Hol M. Ald R. Airole Mahal 910 R. Goro Am Daggudd bgah M. Gadahel R. Aared Meschiu Marhadda arto Ado Holli Assael La 700 Illaghede Lae Ambbat Ertacal R. Silall Filladed E. Crater Cuahat Bareir C

a r Assagol a 600

A

m W. Crater R. Dibear Irar Gadahel Eerai Datticub M. Ghersamo Edaeral Af Ugueal Balasl Bareir 100 Plain Mauil Am

R. Amaitoli Fafeia Gar Conca 200 Endro Argudd R. Argai Passo Uetn Mauil Af R. Uetn Ueten Gar

st) thea 1 km (Sou Field N Oss Lava

Plate 1 Contours are highly approximate and based on Defense Mapping Agency Series 1501, Sheet ND 37-7 at 1:250,000. Place names from Plate 1 of Marini (1938); the first figure of 2nd half of article.

J.B. Lowenstern, 1997

iii USGS OFR 98-218: Translation of Marini (1938)

Summary of Marini (1938) very useful discussion of their derivations. "Alìd Volcano in the Colony of Place names around Alìd are shown to Eritrea" (title translated from the Italian) come from at least 12 different languages. reports the results of an expedition by the A Products section attempts to summarize Italian Istituto Geografico Militare various commodities that could provide (Institute for Military Geography), headed income to the Eritrean colony, including by Angelo Marini in 1901-02. The article limestone, copper, evaporites and wood. contains numerous maps, drawings and The final section, Surveying, describes the photographs of Alìd and its surroundings techniques used to create the topographic within the Danakil Depression as it existed map and lists major and secondary datum at the time. The first installment, published points, relay stations and associated in the January edition of L'Universo, distances. contains a detailed discussion of the regional topography, provides geographic Preface names and summarizes the geological As part of a geothermal resource history of the area, as it was perceived at assessment of the Alìd volcanic center the time. Figures include a geologic map, a (Clynne et al., 1996; Duffield et al., 1997; map of thermal features, a map of dry Lowenstern et al., 1997) we tried to review streambeds, a cross section and numerous all pertinent literature on Alìd, the Danakil photographs. The second installment, depression and the Afar Triangle. In a published in the February edition of paper by Marinelli et al. (1980), we found L'Universo, begins with a discussion of the reference to what is likely the first written Biteito Mountains, on the Danakil horst to record that details the topography, the northeast of Alìd, followed by a geology, hydrology, seismicity, fumaroles description of the mountains to the west and place names of this region. Angelo and some discussion of the geologic Marini and his coworkers from the Italian history of the region. Subsequently, Institute for Military Geography (Istituto Marini gives a long description of the Oss Geografico Militare) undertook a detailed basalts, including numerous sketches and study of Alìd and its surroundings in 1901- discussion of the individual eruptive vents 02. This report is a translation of Marini's and boccas. A section on Alluvium 1938 publication on Alìd, published in focuses on the relative timing of L'Universo, volume 19, pages 51-65 sedimentation and volcanism, and records (January edition, #1) and 131-170 important features of the primary washes (February edition, #2). We hope, as did and related fan deposits that drain the Marini, that future researchers can make Eritrean highlands. The subsequent section use of the data, description, photographs on Rocks divides the primary lithologies and nomenclature that reflects Alìd, as it into Basaltic Rocks, Liparitic Rocks and existed at the turn of the 20th century. Dacitic Rocks, and provides petrographic Because we were unaware of the work descriptions and some basic chemcial until having completed our initial information. The section on Water manuscripts, we did not use the Gaseous Emanations, etc. describes each nomenclature published by Marini (1938). of the visited thermal areas, providing When comparing place names in this some information on alteration minerals translation with those used by Clynne and and gases present. The Seismic section others (1996), Duffield and others (1997) records numerous seismic events and and Lowenstern and others (1998), the swarms felt during the study period, listing following table may be of use: the time and location of each event. Marini then attempts to link all seismic events at Marini (1938) Duffield and others Alìd with other events felt around the (1997) world during the same period. The Airolè Airole Toponomy section gives a primer on Ambabat Humbebet pronunciation of place names as well as a Aràfali Arafali

1 USGS OFR 98-218: Translation of Marini (1938)

Assaelà As'ela Translator's Foreword Buia Boya Dibearà Dibara The text between square brackets [ ] Ertacalè Darere are additions of the translator and were not Illaghede Ilegedi present in the Italian text. These additions were necesary to adjust the syntax, to References: clarify, and sometimes to give bits of Duffield, W.A., Bullen, T., D., Clynne, M. A., information that add meaning to the text. Fournier, R.O., Janik, C.J., Lanphere, M.A., My apologies if some of these bits of Lowenstern, J., Smith, J.G., W/Giorgis, L., Kahsai, G., W/Mariam, K. and Tesfai, T., information are patronizing. 1997, Geothermal Potential of the Alid The page number in italics refers to the Volcanic Center, Danakil Depression, Eritrea: page number in the original manuscript U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report, v. published in L'Universo. Names of 97-291, p. 62. localities have been written in small Clynne, M.A., Duffield, W.A., Fournier, R.O., capital letters, with a few exceptions. Giorgis, L., Janik, C.J., Kahsai, G., The Italian language, vocabulary, Lowenstern, J., Mariam, K., Smith, J.G., grammar and style in this article reflect the Tesfai, T., 1996, Geothermal Potential of the Italian language of nearly two centuries Alid Volcanic Center, Danakil Depression, ago. This is not a long time by geological Eritrea: USGS Final Report to U.S. Agency for standards, but sufficient to change the International Development under the terms of PASA Number AOT-0002-P-00-5033-00, 46p. language substantially. Lowenstern, J.B., Janik, C.J., Fournier, R.O., Angelo Marini wrote these two articles Tesfai, T., Duffield, W.A., Clynne, M.A., roughly 35 years after his exploration of Smith, J.G., W/Giorgis, L., W/Mariam, K., Alid, at least in part for political reasons, Kahsai, G., 1998, A geochemical to justify the horrible cost of supporting reconnaissance of the Alid volcanic center and unproductive colonies, just when the geothermal system, Danakil Depression, Italians were asked to go to war again. Eritrea: Geothermics, submitted. This is the focus of the last three chapters, Marinelli, G., Quaia, R. and Santacroce, R., 1980, where the author makes an attempt to Volcanism and spreading in the northernmost invent some business enterprises that segment of the Afar rift (Gulf of Zula). could make the colony profitable, like Geodynamic Evolution of the Afro Arabian Rift System: Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei , canning wildlife meat or exporting marble Atti dei Convegni Lincei v. 47, p. 421-435. to the orient. Marini, A., 1938, Il vulcano Alid nella Colonia Eritrea: L'Universo v. 19, p. 51-65, p. 131-170. F. Villa

2 Translation of Marini (1938)

ALÌD VOLCANO IN THE COLONY OF ERITREA.

1Page 51 As one can see from the topographic map, the volcano Alìd is located at 14° 53' Fig. 1. Map of the volcano and adjacent north latitude, 39° 55' east longitude sites. Scale bar is 10 km long. (Greenwich). The volcano rises from the alluvial plain, dark and isolated; a crown General features of hills, remnants of the ancient crater, The structure (geography) of the coastal forms the top of the volcano. zone of Eritrea is well known. The The volcano is elongate from east to coralline coastal zone and the aeolian west: the top view is approximately an sands are interspersed with conspicuous irregular four-sided figure, with the places, and volcanic heights that are southwest to northeast diagonal of 7500 worthy of description. Alid volcano rises meters, and northwest to southeast of 6500 majestically, almost in the middle of the meters, for a total area of 30.68 square zone destined for my study; it is the best kilometers, and 24 kilometers of developed mountain of the western Red perimeter. The volcano is 9 kilometers Sea coast, and the most important of the from the base of the Ethiopian plateau, and Eritrean region. it is further from the sea to the east side (25 kilometers) because of flat-lying basalt formations between the sea and the Page 52 volcano. The distance from [the volcano to] the sea-level (0 m.) topographic Fig. 2. Planimetry of Alìd volcano contour (on the edge of the lava field to Few facts were known about this the southeast) is only 8 kilometers. The distance from the bay of ARAFALI is 25 volcano: previous maps were limited to a kilometers, with volcanic structures mark without name, since Mount around the bay itself. Finally, it is 46 BITEITO(?), as it was called, did not refer to the volcano, but to a tall basalt wall on kilometers from the deepest point of the 2 gulf of ZULA, and 108 kilometers to the the eastern side of Alìd. The map scale of deepest point of the RAGAD towards the the region was deemed sufficiently southeast. detailed at 1:100,000. I decided to increase Both at the base and at higher the resolution to 1:50,000, investing a elevations, Alìd is developed more from great deal of time and effort, in order to west to east. It looks like the volcanic localize better the observations I had made activity, as soon as it was released from for some time, being as I was very the restriction of the narrow DERRAULE attracted [interested] by the locality. valley, had a fan like action towards the Several rock samples were taken from eastern open sea. the volcano. These samples, sent to the In fact, we find the west side fracture- University of Pisa, were analyzed by Drs. depression to be narrow and elongate; the Manasse and Aloisi. The analyses were west crater is almost regular and smaller published in the “Atti della Societa’ (1.25 square kilometers); the east crater Toscana di Scienze Naturali”, 1903/1904, Vol XX delle Memorie, Pisa. Page 53

1 Fig 3. Perspective drawing of Alìd These observations, gathered at the end of the year volcano (seen from the south). The 1901,under the auspices of the Istituto Geografico Militare, are published here, hoping that they can horizon is at m. 850 be of use to those in the field of geophysics. 2See pages 21, 28, 28bis, and 34 of the is higher in elevation and has an area Topographic Map of the Eritrean Colony. almost five times larger (5.62 square

3 Translation of Marini (1938)

kilometers); the eastern depression, twice The middle column entries are: 1) recent as long as wide, reaches the foot of the lavas, 2) basaltic to trachytic lavas, 3) mountain. alluvial terraces with volcanic materials, Finally, on the east side from ENDA and 4) crystalline basement of the high ALÌD to GADAHELI, we find the most plains. The right column entries are: 1) developed volcanoes (longitudinally and crater rims, 2) fumaroles,. 3) springs 4) vertically) that surround Alìd. The inner vents emitting water and gas. crevices lie more or less on the transverse axis. [In Fig. 3], I draw the side view of coral flats alternating with lava flows on the volcano to give a synthetic idea of its the top of which Alìd was formed; and the structure and of the formations around it. second (the plateau) made available From the left side to the right. ancient materials to the action of erosion We can see the extreme alluvial zone from freezing and from water. on the west side (BAREIRA’), then the The sands carried by the wind from the western side of the volcano and its residual south finished the overall aspect. From the lava flow (AMAITOLI). On the bottom the north, east and south successive volcanic white plain with trees (UETÈN). eruptions made the morphology of the On the top there are two craters and region even more complicated. their fumarole; on the left side the big The whole volcano seems to be basalt M. BITEITO and further down the divided in two large regions by a fracture two twin volcanoes ENDA ALÌD and transverse to the direction of the Eritrean GADAHELI and their gaseous emanations. basin. In the foreground, on the southeast To the east the fracture is generated by lava field there are groups of recent crater the maximum endogenic pressure which cones UETEN GARO’ and FAFEIA’ GARO’. made the mounts BITEITO, DABOCOLTÀ The structure of the volcano Alìd is rise. In the west, the fracture coincides very complex because of the various with the deep valley of Derraule, which is underground activities. We can have an subjected still to substantial earth shaking. idea of this by looking at the geophysical It is important here to remember that a map. Its base is made of a primitive large fraction of the northern slope of this formation of aggregates - tuff and lapilli. valley is made of solid rock (granite like) Above it, successive lava flows of while the opposite slope different viscosity have shaped the mountain; an enormous hat of red cinder Page 55 (scoriae) makes up the top of the mountain (m. 910). Now things have changed, only Fig. 5. Bottom of the west crater of Alìd.- the north part of the enormous hat remains. A and B are the abyss inside the lava belt. The edge of the crater towards the east The final crater is reduced to a half moon disappeared and formations of cinder and shape; linee d’impluvio [these are the line lapilli are on the eroded surfaces on the along which water would flow; probably northwest, east and southwest. The orthogonal to the topographic contours], structure is complicated by the action of and lowest point. the sea in the east and the Ethiopian Fig. 6. Eritrean colony. Transverse cross plateau in the the west. The first generated section of the plateau, to the sea, and vast regions of across Alìd. Page 54 is made almost entirely of sedimentary rocks (schist-like). At the end of the valley Fig. 4. Geological map of Alìd and its of DERRAULE, Alìd built a series of surroundings. In the legend, the left column entries are: 1) alluvial plains, 2) volcanic cinders and sand, 3) volcanic tuff, lapilli and scoria and 4) volcanic bombs.

4 Translation of Marini (1938)

heights (BAREIRÀ1), with cinder, lapilli, of trees and grasses; castor plants abound, etc. during its explosive phase. and they could provide a good harvest. We will start the study of the region Cattle and wild boars are found in the from the upper side and then we will go shade of the acacias. The animals climb down to the sides and to the adjacent the slopes and look everywhere for food; areas. The highest region of the volcano is hyenas, leopards do not reach this height, the most interesting since one can find and pestering mosquitoes do not interrupt elements of the eruptive structure which our sleep. are less sensitive to erosion: it is just a The eastern sub-region is large and succession of flat areas and shapeless hills does not have a regular geometrical shape randomly strewn. as the previous one. The crater crown is This region is a vast concave area of very irregular and incomplete. The approximately 7 square kilometers, clearly northern part reaches the maximum height divided by a septum or diaphragm (called of 910 m, and descends towards the south BAREIRÀ) into two sub-regions that are and east direction, where the tectonic linked by the only path that crosses the activity can be observed in the vertical volcano from east to west, at an elevation sections of the canyon walls (barranco). of 610 meters. The deep watershed is called SILLALÒ. It The sub-region to the west is a regular divides exactly the basalt rocks in the and typical crater, well preserved and with south from the tuff in the north. Deeply a semicircular shape. The convex side is eroded creek beds are found in the slope of toward the Ethiopian plateau and has as a the watershed. The SILLALÒ is the largest base-diameter the septa mentioned before. and one could say the only one of the The dimensions are 1500 m. from north to creek beds since all the other creek beds south and 1000 m. from east to west. on Alìd start from the outside edge of the The main elevation of the crown is 700 crater. m. and that one of the inside basin is 590 When the SILLALÒ reaches the plain it m. The lowest point of the basin is 551 m. changes direction from the east-west to the On the north, east and south sides, north-south expanding into the plain of aggregate rocks of whitish color (cinder, BALASLÈ. This hollow on the western side tuff, lapilli) predominate; towards the west of Alìd is so pronounced that one could there is a basalt belt (CARÀ AMÒ) made of debate whether the structure is due only to the last fluid materials ejected by the water erosion, or there is a contribution crater. In the geometrical center of the from the internal forces, or else a settling basin there is a minuscule crater of the materials forming the base of the predominantly made of ashes. A flow of volcano. This sub-region has an average gases of high temperature is continuously diameter of 2300 meters emitted from two deep fissures between enormous basalt boulders. The alluvial Page 57 plain is covered by a rich vegetation Fig. 8. Sketch of drainage patterns on Alìd Page 56 volcano . Fig. 7. Chasms in the western crater of Fig. 9. Mounts enclosing the south side of Alìd, seen from the west. High in the the eastern crater of Alìd volcano. The background [there are] the highest tops view is from the center of the crater’s flat surrounding the craters from the north. bottom. and an area of approximately 6 square km, 1This name seems to refer to the kind of material and it consists of a large inhabited plain rather than to the shape, since we find a similar covered by light green and small black region with the same name on the western side of hills. Alid . This region is made of the same red or gray tuff as the first one.

5 Translation of Marini (1938)

Towards the southeast the last high general aspect is one of flat or round viscosity lava forms a complicated system shapes, due to the detritus composing the of heights called DIBEARÀ, EERAI e soil; on the left [one sees] the brilliant UGUEALÌ. In the center there are small white of cinder and tuff, uncovered by a hills and the last very small cone still recent slide. Below, at the feet and behind emitting high temperature vapors. From the observer [there are] the black lava the southwest to the west there are the tuff flows, disgorged from the mountain side. of the EDAERALÌ and the sub-diaphragm The chasm of the creek ARGUDDÒ starts in BAREIRÀ. Finally, in the north we have front of the GHERSAMO. On the right, the more lava and tuff in the inside slope; in dorsal of CARÀ AMÒ intercepts a large the outside slope [there is a] large field fraction of the basin craters. Above it, the covered by big volcanic bombs, and a heights of FILLADED (743 meters) and the recent lava flow; and climbing higher we top of Alìd (910 meters) soar; further right, reach the top of the volcano. [there are] the mounts enclosing the To the many materials of endogenous eastern crater basin from east to the south. origin, one must be added, of sedimentary The cross sections of the peripheral strata origin. of the mantle [can be seen] on the two While sketching the Fig. 91 , and edges. recording on the sketch the different materials, according to a cursory Also on the summit of Alìd we find examination of the sites, and following a layers of lava protecting the underlying preliminary analysis, I classified the rocks strata of scoriae. This may suggest that forming the two segments of the crown as Alìd was higher than at present, and schist-like. Also ascending the volcano to probably of a more regular conical shape. inspect the morphology of the site I wrote Here, at one kilometer elevation, the on my notebook the 6th of February pen stops, and we let our imagination run “schist (?) on the right “ (right hand side of free!! the road under GHERSAMO, from the I took eight successive pictures of the west). They could be fragment of the earth landscape, covering the entire horizon; crust and then I wrote in another place these pictures will be published in another “probably parts of the earth crust which paper, similar in character, more general in has risen, etc.”. content. The basalt-like aspect of much of the Using the photos of the original lava in the crater together with other hints survey, and with the help of the constant may suggest a period during which the height curves at 50 meters intervals, I tried volcano was under the sea with the a relief sketch (at 45 degrees from the exception of the highest points which northwest) to give a better idea of the maintain the look of recent structure. structure of the volcano. In this manner one can discover new details that may not Page 58 be seen, if one utilizes only the old survey measurements. For instance [one could Fig.10. The volcano Alìd seen from the miss] two external slides on the northwest outside. The caption and figure straddle region, threatening the mount itself and the two pages. The panoramic view is taken external depression (source of the creek from the highest, external peak of M. ARGUDDÒ), that does not join the western GHERSAMO, where we established a closed crater basin, just for a thin reference point for the major triangulation diaphragm. If we focus our attention on (at an elevation of 685 meters). The the height of the AMBÀBAT, and follow the two lines of depression descending to 1I have kept all the drawings made on the spot; in the southeast (the two lines close in the drawing them again for the printing I realized that middle of the ARGUDDÒ valley), we will pencil drawings have a flavor so much more discover the characters of a large crater, profound than the reproduction , even though they ellipsoid in shape, with a diameter of 1800 are made by the same hand. x 1300 meters, whose top is the actual

6 Translation of Marini (1938)

crest of the CUAHATÒ (elevation 620 protection of the mountain against dry meters). This hypothetical or real crater winds from the south, and because the rain must have had its major activity during the from the gulf of Zula. I even found some explosive phase, that is, before the activity ebony, locally called hàbnus. of the more recent and taller craters. This A mule trail traverses the white and could be confirmed by the map containing shady plain, following the base of the the description of the eruptive and detritus mountain; it traverses between two materials which were left after the great volcanic cones at an elevation of 250 destructive activity had occurred. meters. At this point, the road splits in two Indications of past tectonic activity directions: Page 59 Page 60 Fig 10. Figure caption on previous page. Fig. 11. The top of the volcano Alìd (seen from the south). Marker for the still appear at present: earthquakes triangulation (elevation 910 meters). The occasionally shake the volcano and the stratification of large and small elements surrounding regions; high temperature are clearly visible. vapors are emitted by many fissures; thermal waters spring in large amounts. one towards the region of SELLELEC of We do not think it would be easy to find BURI and ARÀFALI, the other bends to the all of the openings to the inside [of the right, and runs around Alìd. We will earth] since the region is extremely vast follow the latter. and rugged. Two kilometers away we find the pass We will now give a look to the outside of EGHIDDÀ (331 meters elevation). On of the volcano, and search for relationships the left, one finds some tombs of local between the main body of the volcano and people, and close by the ENDA ALÌD, the the details surrounding it. We will begin little Alìd, a structure that reproduces the our (ideal) exploration from the CORCORA larger volcano on a smaller scale. The region, following the map in a clockwise slope is steeper towards the west, less direction. steep in the east and north. The small CORCORA is the highest zone of a mountain (457 meters high, more than 6 crater cone, mostly buried by the flood kilometers circumference) is made of (233 meter elevation). Among the lesser successive lava flows. Southeast of the craters, the largest is 400-500 meters ENDA ALÌD there is a volcanic hill of [circumference] around the crown. The modest proportions (356 meters high and alluvial area surrounding it is entirely 3.5 kilometers circumference). On the volcanic. The profound erosion that southern slopes of this hill, colored tuff occurred in the wall of Alìd above gives an reappears. On these tuffs, the houses of a idea of the immense amount of detritus local tribe Hasu Hamed Caiuia are located. (cinder, lapilli) that form the vast plain. On the southeast side, there is another Oss is the name given by the local small volcanic hill, (342 meters high) people to two large lava fields on the made of recent lava flow. On its top there northwest and southeast of the volcano are continuous emissions of high Alìd. They appear as two flat, black-ish temperature vapors. expanses with many small craters. More to the southeast [there is] a flat Towards the north of the volcano Alìd, top elevation called GADAHELI. Its top the structure is more uniform. The area is (359 meters) is displaced considerably characterized by continuous series of towards the north; a gentle slope, of more basaltic rocks, separated by many small than 2.5 kilometers descends to the plain valleys: there are steep slopes, sometimes (at an elevation of 82 meters). The slope as steep as 65% in the higher regions. The (with an average slope of 10%) is tree vegetation is vigorous, because of the composed of a series of terraces built by

7 Translation of Marini (1938)

the superposition of glassy fluid lava. The The southeast side of the volcano Alìd small conical crater DATTICUBÒ (126 is the steepest; it looks like a great wall meters), made of brightly colored scoriae, emerging rigidly from the alluvial plain: in intercepted and pushed away the lava some regions, the slope exceeds 66 per towards the west, where it came in contact cent. with the large lava field on the southeast. A lava hill, ASSALOELI, rests on this A mule trail runs through the pass, arriving side of Alìd: the magma overflow runs in to the AGOGHITÒ wells. the region of DIBEARA, from the edge of the crater, along a canyon dug in the Page 61 mountain side. This lava hill is over fifty meters high. An examination of the planimetric A bit further south we see the remains survey of GADAHELÌ shows that the of very small, not completely formed formation is a mixture of lava and tuff; the cones, called ABAAT AF1. Here the mule tuff, probably predominant, is covered by trail joins the other trail from the east; after successive lava flows. In the tuff on the that, rising and crossing a small watershed, summit, vapors are emitted by semi- continues to go over difficult terrain. The blocked escape cavities. We should add first obstacle is composed of a large that the volcano GADAHELÌ is the most number of volcanic hills called FAFEIÀ developed in the area near Alìd. GARÒ. They are about twenty small cones Upon returning to the EGHIDDÀ, we crowded in a small triangular space; the descend following the mule trail that is largest one was a marker (reference point) around Alìd, and focus our attention to for the geodetic triangulation.. The height another place. at the top is 146 meters, small compared to A large alluvial plain, mainly made of Alìd, but sufficient to overlook the never volcanic debris and wind driven materials, ending line of small craters rising from the is the place from which Alìd rises, large lava field in the southeast. We will steeply.. This plain, of triangular shape, say that the line of craters is located on the has a very gentle slope (only 2.4 %) longitudinal axis of the Eritrean towards the south. The plain is traversed depression, and such a line divides the by two creeks, the DATTICUBÒ, close to field in two different parts: to the the flat shape of the GADAHELÌ in the east, southwest there are many small craters and and the Illaghede, coming from the top of boccas. In the other section, we have deep Alìd , and runs a long way close to the longitudinal fissures. base of Alìd on the east. The plain is rich On the right hand side of Alìd’s edge in trees and wild life; it has different there is a village of the Hasu Hamed names, as it is seen in the map. Caiuia, and some tombs. The mule trail In the ADO HOLLI AF and ILLAGHEDE wriggles through AF we see the remnant of the primitive terrace structures, which are about fifty Page 62 meters above the land below. On the first one, (the one most northerly), at an Fig. 12. Dike extending from a recess in elevation of 306 meters, we set a marker the southwestern side of the volcano, seen for the auxiliary triangulation. Close to the from the side, from the southwest. [Here second there are the remains of a crater not and elsewhere, the author may be using completely developed. Not far away there the term dike as a thin wall rather than an are tombs of local people (elevation 224 igneous intrusion]. meters). The deep canyon of SILLALÒ shows his narrow throat: the two barren and steep sides are near to each other, of opposite 1This suffix AF is found in many local names and appearance, and deeply eroded. denotes a narrow passage, a canyon etc.; for instance Ado Holli Af–Illaghede Af–Gadoeli Af– Mauil Af–Passo Fafeiá, etc.

8 Translation of Marini (1938)

the other aligned hills are made. The most to pass the disordered rocks. In the north developed formation of cones near the side of the major crater, covering the major volcano was created South and mountain’s edge, there is an agglomerate southwest of the UETEN pass. This of cinder and sand of volcanic origin. formation is called UETEN GARÒ. The After that, there are two or three basalt map here includes about twelve [cones], island in the lava field; the mule trail runs counting those with intact craters, and through them, and then enters a narrow others where the crater edges are mostly gap between Alìd and the lava field. disrupted, because of the tendency of an Let us stop and observe. Alìd eastward displacement of the eruptive maintains a substantial slope on the south structures. The highest crater’s edge side, however changing: the elevation of reaches an elevation of 229 meters, and a 450 meters is subdivided into two large diameter of 154 meters. Descending sections, called M AUIL A MÒ and towards the east, we find lava emitted SERRECHELÈ AMÒ, as shown in the relief recently from the mountain side. map. This southwestern region of Alìd was Under the top of UGUEALÌ magma did the center of complex seismic and volcanic flow from a fracture in the side of the activity. This is proven by the breaks on mountain. Part of the magma filled the the side of the mountain, the well deep canyon underneath, while the largest developed dike, various geological fraction of it formed a wide terrace at the formations and the lava field in the base of the mountain. Nearby there is southeast, all witness to the destructive another mound of cinder and volcanic and constructive phases that occurred in sand; more to the west, a recent lava flow, the region. almost in contact with the lava field in the Here the minor craters are made of a southwest. fine detritus, sometime poorly cemented, Behind us there are (about) twelve gray or red to brown. These are the small cones called ARGAI. Those closer to product of the last eruptions, probably at Alìd are more developed, being taller than the same time as the large lava flows, 150 meters; the others do not exceed 120- certainly after the construction of the 130 meters. I followed a winding trail volcano Alìd. through these cones for a couple of Several traces of houses and tombs kilometers inside the lava field when I prove that the area was the location of the ventured with three men and few tribal chief (Hasu). provisions to explore the black expanse. Now in the west, the beautiful plain Continuing we find a closed alluvial called UETEN, traversed by many washes, basin called ENDÀRO, with lots of detritus in which two roads intersect: the caravan material, in large chunks, originating from trail SAMOTI-ARÀFALI and the mule trail the breakdown of the wall above; then that goes from the wells of BUIA to the another obstacle to our path, and more east coast. material to observe. The Ueten plain is made more complex A deep crevice in the mountain forms by the large terrace of crystalline rocks a small valley covered by basalt blocks, that are part of the big Ethiopian plateau. and descends in the ENDÀRO basin. To the Here the students of terrestrial west a dike tectonics will ask a question: did the big alluvial flats come before, after, or at the Page 63 same time as the violent volcanic activity on the coast? The problem will be extends in the southern direction for over examined analyzing the various 600 meters. indications, as they appear. At the end of the dike and on the west First of all, an important observation to there are two regions of volcanic tuff on consider comes from the southwest side. the surface, of the same material of which Here the erosion caused by the creek ADOBÀL in the alluvial terrace makes

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evident three successive phases of Finally, the planimetry seems to deposits, two of them alluvial, and one in suggest that the FERRUT basin was later between of volcanic tuff, white and light occupied by a river, the same DERRAULE green in color. The three strata are most likely, pushed towards the west by heterogeneous. The structure can be lava flows from the north and east. explained as: A marker for the auxiliary triangulation a) First, an alluvial stratification of the was established on the hill ARGUDDÒ, at plateau. 191 meters elevation. b) An explosive volcanic phase, with This small hill, together with the others considerable emission of cinder and sand. on the north and northeast, are the flat c) Uneven erosion of the soil due to [mesa-like] remains of the extreme range meteoric action. of the alluvial terrace. The one on the east, d) Formation of more recent alluvial in direct contact with the lava flow, strata. suggests that the terraces were much more e) Gradual formation of terraces. extended towards the northwest, since it In other words, the processes of kept the lava from flowing to lower levels. alluvial transport and volcanism were One could conclude that the lava emission alternating in time. from the southwest side of the volcano Similarly, on the western side of the occurred after the alluvial terracing, and Lava Field, almost separating the alluvial before the destruction of the terraces terraces from the lava itself, there is a half themselves. It is obvious that this lava crater of approximately 2 kilometers flow is the largest of those from the (FERRUT, probably connected to the other volcano sides, as is shown in the crater to the north, DISAS). This half crater planimetry of the site. shows, A series of irregular hills follows in the west; these are the remnant of the Page 64 materials thrown by Alìd towards the west. The hills are made of gray or colored tuff. Fig.13. Vertical cross section of the The local people call the region BAREIRÀ; detritus forming the north banks of the the highest point is at 241 meters; at a ADOBÀL creek. lower elevation there is a pass that divides Fig. 14. Profile of mount FERRUT, seen the flat region in the north from the south from the south. side of the volcano Alìd. Further down, there is a deep creek, called ARGUDDÒ in its concave region, the cross section of which divides clearly the solid basalt lava the rocks forming the structure. These are on the east from the fragmented detritus on successive strata of volcanic sand and the west. Close by we find the easiest trail cinder, aggregated weakly, with a gentle to climb Alìd from the west. slope (between 30 and 35%) and larger The high side of the ARGUDDÒ flows lapilli, blackish, almost vertical. in a radial furrow of Alìd towards the Immediately under, there are strata of west, corresponding to the deep trench of volcanic tuff, resting over the western the SILLALLÒ on the east. alluvial plain. The enclosed sketch, drawn faithfully Page 65 from a photo1 shows what was described above; i.e., the staircase profile due to Together they form a transverse marine erosion during successive sea fissure, in the east-west direction, that levels. The underlying alluvial strata divides the mass of the volcano in two suggests that the formation precedes the distinct regions. The northern side, with volcanic phase. the highest peaks, and the south side, with less prominent features. Continuing in a northern direction, we 1/The bromide gel deteriorated because of find the flat topped hills, which are the excessive heat.

10 Translation of Marini (1938) extreme range of the vast western terrace come together on the northeast; at this (Assagolò). This terrace must have junction we located a marker for the main extended in the past much further, to come triangulation, called AMBÀBAT (elevation in contact with the lava from the fissure 241 meters). (mentioned before) of the ARGUDDÒ. The Here our exploration around the volcano arrows indicated in the map show the lava ends. flow direction. It is obvious that the lava would have followed the maximum slope (to be continued) path, in absence of obstacles. Two mule trails, coming from the Angelo Marini wells of BUIA and from the SAMOTI Plain

11 Translation of Marini (1938)

ALÌD VOLCANO IN THE COLONY OF ERITREA.

(Continuation: see previous issue) chlorite, garnet, epidote, titanite, Lava Fields magnetite, iron 1. If these are marine sediments, they must be more recent than the flat-topped basalt on the coast, and Page131 [formed] before it emerged from the sea, since there are no bends in the layers. A brief mention of the relevant The hills on the west have a different orogenic details around the volcano; i.e., aspect. Here, long series of basalt red- the two basalt barriers on the east side, the brown columns, are shown in the cross two large lava fields on the northwest and section of metamorphic rocks, resembling southeast, and the alluvial formations of cyclopic buildings; while at their base, in a the west, is essential for the study of Alìd. long succession of cone like shapes, we General features of the long chain of see the products of the erosion from above. hills northwest and south of the BITEITO On the lower edge of of these gravel piles mountains are: there are some wind-transported white [ i] to be made almost exclusively of materials, some basins for water storage endogenous materials, mainly basalt, in a used by the nomads and submarine [underwater] phase. [ii] to have a laminated structure, because of successive strata of lava. Page 132 [iii] to gently slope towards the open sea, and to have their high side towards the Fig 14. Basaltic columns at DEGGHERTO west low lands. This confirms the (seen from the west). Segment of the walls hypothesis of a violent fracture for the that surround the crater from the east. largest volcanic structures (ALÌD, JALÙA, Fig. 15. Different phases of uplift of the ALLAHADDÒ), and a general lifting more table basalts (seen from the west). evident on the continent side, followed by a lowering of the volcanic region. then some more recent lava, which extends to the horizon. The elevation of the highest points 2 varies. Starting with the north, the The sketch attached represents the elevations are 420, 469, 467 meters. The segment of the highest dorsal basalt: one highest is the BITEITO, at 668 meters, just can see at least three periods of in front of Alìd, which is the center of the emergence, intercalated with periods of pressure from below. Then the elevations volcanic respite. decrease to 331,169 etc. in the southern A second period of uplift occurred direction. after the formation and subsequent One could find some marine destruction by the sea of three small formations here and there in the eastern islands. The uplift did not occur uniformly. slope; while cones scattered around almost Almost as a pivot point on the left hill, the to the beach represent the last volcanic lift was greater on the right, in such a activity. fashion that while a second uplift was To complete the set of materials we occurring, the first was lowering the find sandstone. The basaltic plateau stops previous lift. After a greater period of 400 meters to the south of the M. SOLLÈ, calm, a new uplift [from the water] occurs, and it is followed by volcanic tuff. Above increasing the tilt just mentioned. Next, a them there is a red-brown sandstone, high fourth and probably last lift, and then density, very hard, with very small grains. erosion activity was left to the creek ASSÀ Prevailing materials are quartz, feldspar, mica; lesser components are tourmaline, 1 From the analysis of Dr. Manasse 2 Obtained from the 74th photograph of the series.

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HAHRÀ, since the sea had retracted in the north, and dried up in the south. The Page 134 constructive [building] activity was left to lava expansions in the southeast field. Fig. 18. The southeast lava field, in its Let us examine two vast fields of lava, greatest extension (from the southeast to called OSS, extending like two immense the northwest). On the right the mountains black wings to the northwest and to the to the east of Alìd, on the left a rugged southeast of Alìd, which are the product of basalt formation; in the near field, rocky the last phases of volcanic activity cavities and sand flats. experienced by this desolate region. Fig. 19. Fracture in the southeast lava field, seen from the south. Page 133 Fig. 16. Vertical section at the base of Alìd Page 135 volcano. Fig. 17. The lava assumes the strangest Fig. 20. Schematic diagram of the shapes in the field of southeast. On the southeast Oss lava field. Contours at 0, horizon there are the alluvial plains and 20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 m. Thick lines the mount GADAHELÌ and BITEITO. going from NW to SE are fractures. Circles are vents or boccas. It is not trivial to ascertain the chronological and spatial relations The topographic contours show that between Alìd and the two lava fields. Even the whole flat table is tilted from north to though Alìd hides its sides under a thick south with a slight slope to the east. One blanket of detritus, it may be possible to can see two principal axis: one towards the reconstruct the chronology; the sketch west1, along which are many volcanic attached may help. cones, and the principal lava effusion A formation of a volcanic mass made holes; the other, towards the east, is an of tuff and lava is probable a) after that impluvial line, because of the many there are volcanic emissions close to the fractures and small valleys, which tend to volcano and b) the formation of Alìd’s top; gather rainwater, giving life to some spiny finally the filling of the low lying areas by acacia. The second axial line finds its aeolian or alluvial action. correspondent in the north, between Alíd Let us consider first the southeast lava and the GADAHELI, in the plain of field. It has the shape of a rhomb, with the BALASLE and in the long depression more diagonal dimensions of 18,000 and 10,500 to the north; while in the southeast, in the meters, and a surface of about 107 square HARADADDA basin, one of the lowest kilometers. The landscape is a flat, black- points in Eritrea, to the east of the major ish range, from which small hills emerge volcanoes. Here are some of the elevation in the shape of a truncated cone, and [also] values, positive and negative: 80, 74, 60, very small structures with the strangest of 49, 23, 10, -13, -23, and down to -100 shapes. The extreme region in the meters or more. southeast is buried under the sands of the The fissure and crevices mentioned SAMOTI, sinking to more than 20 meters above vary in size (length between 1400 to below sea level; while the other side, 2700 meters and width between 2 and 10 towards Alìd, rises to more than one meters). Some of them are very deep, hundred meters, from which we calculate often they meander considerably. Their approximately an average slope of 0.75% and a mass of 5 cubic kilometers. 1 A camel road goes around the lava In contrast, more developed cones like the AMBA field, and a trail enters the southeast side (299meters), the LUBAK GARÒ (177 m.), the for the search of rainwater that is stored in GANDALIT (147 m.) , the GABBAI GARÒ (199 m.) the cavities. are the corresponding cones in the northwest OSS basalt field.

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walls reveal basaltic characteristics; of them, from the west, there is the vent sometimes they are divided in two distinct from which a large amount of lava exited, planes (as shown in Fig 19), the upper large enough to cover the surrounding lighter in color, dark brown the lower. area, with the exception of the north side, This could be due to different composition where small crater cones are laying among or to different effects of the sea or rain erosion debris and over previous lava water. flows. Bocca B. Elevation 115 meters, Page 136 ADDUMMI GARÒ. Not a single one, but a set of openings from which igneous Fig. 21. ARGAI. This is the highest group material was launched in every direction. of volcanic hills, completely enclosed in the southeast lava field. Page 137 Fig. 22. ADDUMMI GARÒ. Natural tunnel (lava tube) in the southeast lava field; Fig. 23. ADDUMMI GARÒ. Volcanic cones, crater cones and eruptive vents. eruption vent, and beginning of the tunnel (lava tube), seen from the south. Six longitudinal axes can be seen in the Fig. 24. ADDUMMI GARÒ. Perspective attached map: five are positive in relief, sketch of the last bocca, B, seen from the and one negative, pertaining to a south. depression. From left to right, the positive are: as indicated by the arrows in the sketch DISAS and FERRUT, form the western map. The elevation of a bocca more to the edge of the lava field, and are not well north was determined. It is followed by a developed; meandering lava tube 2500 meters long, ARGAI, ADDUMMA GARO and M. and 8 to 30 meters height, which has OGGOLLÀ form the western region; around twenty openings on the roof part. ADDUMMI G ARÒ, DAGARO and These openings communicate with the ASSAGARO are the highest part of the outside. Some of these cavities look like central structure; enormous boccas, filled with the products SEGALÈ DEDDATO forms the extreme of explosions; dense vapors, lava and range in the southeast . scoriae exit from other openings. The The region of small valleys and materials, falling randomly formed an fractures is of great extension; it extends intricate labyrinth of half craters running over the whole lava field, and covers about in parallel or perpendicular directions, or one half of the total area. against each other. Some cavities have a The eastern region returns to positive regular cupola shape. All of them, more or values (south side of BALASLÈ, BABALÁ- less, are connected among themselves MADERTO, HASSA, and DERSAMO GARÒ). through small cross section openings. This region is the connection between the A brief mention of a still recognizable low lying areas of the lava field and the bocca. It is found inside a small crater, more ancient heights of the terraced which is missing its left side, ripped by the basalts. lava flow: the sketch may give us an idea. Let us examine the lava effusion The opening, which indeed should be structures, following the order in which called bocca because of its aspect and they were located in the survey, i.e. from character, is an horizontal cavity, of round the northwest to southeast; Fig. 20 can be cross section, with a roof covered by black used as a guide. and shiny stalactites. The last scoria Bocca A. Elevation 134 meters, called eruption still occupies the lower part, and ARGAI. It is the closest to Alìd; following even now it seems ready to flow towards the trail that enters the lava field, after the west. passing by remnants of craters, one finds three small valleys; at the beginning of one

14 Translation of Marini (1938)

The dimensions of the bocca are 5 volcanic mountain located in the south, meters horizontally and about 7 meters where an additional survey marker vertically. (elevation 100 meters) is located. Bocca C. Elevation 124 meters. This typical hill is open between the DAGGARO is the name given by the local south and the west. It has two minor people to this notable group of volcanic craters, well preserved, and its walls are hills. Some of them were rather large. On cut vertically. the northeast edge of the largest one we established a survey signal, at 199 meters Page 139 elevation. Roughly ten craters are aligned in the southeast direction. The lava flows Fig. 27. ASSAGARO. Small volcanic danced an infernal ballet, as is shown by mounts, scattered craters and effusive the small arrows. boccas in the southeast lava field. Page 138 In this location one could study the stratification of different material, large Fig. 25. DAGGARO. Characteristic group rocks and small cinder and lapilli. How of volcanic hills close to the center of the many bright colors and what a great southeast lava field natural beauty! Fig 26. Perspective view (from the south) The crater to the south seemed most of the volcanic hills called ASSAGARO. appropriate as a survey station. As soon as we arrived to the crater, a strange noise Looking to the south, we see large attracted our attention: it was a continuous amounts of lava released by a crater, in hiss, surrounding us from every direction, three directions (west, north and south). as if objects were launched in the air. I This great lava flow was a contributing looked at the faces of our helpers, and saw factor to the character of the region. them astonished: they could not realize Sand flats ease the path connecting that it was a natural phenomenon, just different hills: their whitish color is in escaping vapor. great contrast with the surrounding dark An acacia, some tamarisk and many brown. Sparse vegetation, some grass and tall bushes were strewn around. a few small trees suggest some life in the From the notebook, dated 19th of January, area. 1902: Bocca D. Elevation 85 meters, OSSCARA SOUTH (ASSAGARO?). ASSAGARO. It is a typical example of Crater partially destroyed and filled with adjoined boccas. They have probably a alluvial detritus. More small craters to the single feeder, but they appear as two south, the ground sounds hollow under our distinct boccas from the outside. One of feet. them, oriented to the west, released a) basaltic lava at the base of the survey magma in the southwest direction; the marker, between the two terminal craters: other seems to open on the side of the hill perhaps it’s what is left of a more ancient at 145 meter elevation, surrounding two eruption, uncovered by weathering agents. small cone, and releasing materials in the b) lapilli and pumice, predominantly blood southeast direction. Both contributed to the red. formation of the southwestern side of the c) cinder, lapilli, gray-black; lava more to lava field: some fraction of the ejected the southwest. material is buried under the sands of d) lava flow from the Bocca D, and SAMOTI. extending to other smaller boccas; here An additional four small cones lie to and there mixed with cinder. the south: the whole group is called e) terminal crater, with a longitudinal ASSAGARO or perhaps OSS-GARO. fissure, open to the south (top at elevation We added to the planimetric sketch of 15 meters). (see Fig. 27) a drawing of the small

15 Translation of Marini (1938)

f) another crater, similar to the previous, a LAÈ; more erosion on the right by the ADÒ bit higher (elevation 30 meters). To the HOLLI, with transported material below. In northeast, close to the fissure, there is a the background the basalt buttress of recent lava flow (see Fig. 26). mounts DORA and BITEITO. As soon as one leaves the lava, to the south, and enters the sands of SAMOTI, Fig. 28. SAGALÈ-DEDDATO. Spanning zero elevation is reached (sea level), and across two lava flows, one should notice from this point the great depression starts. the characteristics of the more ancient Bocca E. (negative elevation , 6 lava, now being decomposed, compared meters) SAGELÈ-DEDDATO. It is found with the lava on the right, which is the near the lower edge of the lava field, not most recent. Also notice the different too far from the caravan trail ALÀT- directions followed by the lava, and the HARADADDA. There are no cinder cones rows of trachytic rocks that are being in the area. The lava flow came from a mixed with the sands of the SAMOTI. opening in the southeast, and ran in the same direction. The lava flow is solid and It was most likely the last active bocca; it not basaltic in the 2nd quadrant, reduced to is also the least high, since it is located at detritus and impassable in the 3d quadrant. the start of the DANAKIL depression. The band of scoriae, (partially buried in The border between the BELLESUA the SAMOTI sands), which extends from tribe in the east and the HASO in the west the east to the west in front of the lava runs close to our camp site. The border flow, and touches the caravan trail, is the continues in the lava field, passing through last amorphous mass pushed ahead by the DAGGARO and ADDUMMA GARÒ, through last lava flow. At the end of this band, the wells of AGOGHITÒ and ARASCIMA; almost as a fringe, there are many white then it runs north, crossing between the and yellow chunks of pumice, arranged in BITEITO and ENDA ALÌD mountains. concentric rows (see Fig. 28). Bocca F. Elevation 67 meters, south of The topographic contours curve around BALASLÈ. It does not have a name. It is the bocca and show a noticeable rise, located in the lava field, almost at the contrasting with the two valleys to either northeast edge, at the beginning of one of side. those fissures typical of the region. To the north there is a small cone, elevation 75 Page 140 meters; between this cone and the other (elevation 67 meters), arranged in a Latin Photograph not numbered: straddles p. cross shape, there are four holes, above 140-141. four round cavities, decorated with The summit of Alìd volcano as seen from stalactites; the floor is the south. It is the continuation of the other panoramic view (eastern crater) looking to Page 141 the east. [This picture] shows the highest region of the volcanic mount, [which has] Fig. 29. The southeast edge of the lava a well preserved northern slope, [and it is] field, in the SUNCODDÒ region, while the made of ancient and recent lava flows. hot midday wind is blowing. In the right, [This highest region] is deeply eroded in the small tent camp protected by acacias the southern part, uncovering the detritus and prominent lava structures. In the which composes most of the mass. [The foreground, the front of another lava flow. erosion] has generated all of those parallel furrows, which gave structure and fed the wavy with long black stripes of lava. The creek SILLALÒ. [This creek] is the largest magma runs from the beginning (the north descending from the volcano’s highest side) of the fissure in the direction of regions. At a lower height, round forms on southeast, finally plugging the bocca itself. the left; eroded regions in the center, Even though they are not related to the above the fumaroles of the ILLAGHEDE lava sources, it is appropriate to add more

16 Translation of Marini (1938) sketches of the regions in the lava field of southeast, to an approximate scale Fig. 33. HASSA and DERSAMO GARÒ. a group of relict craters, outside the lava Page 142 field to the east. Fig. 34. Basalt crest, seen in profile, from Fig. 30. South of BALASLÈ. This is the the south. Characteristic are the column’s only bocca found in the eastern half of the tops, on the right. In the lower part, the lava field. liquid aspect of the recent lava; in the Fig. 31. BABALÀ M ADERTO. Series of background the mounts BITEITOand volcanic heights, on the edge of the lava ARMEDDU field, towards the northeast. Fig. 32 CURSAITÙ COMA and GAAROITA. Crater remnants east of Alìd, under the broken, unaggregated materials, broken basalt buttress. apart, have given the present aspect to the region. The highest hill is topped - just like in the daily notebook - to show by a flat serpentine-like table. Notable details that would have been lost if printed is the material produced by eruptions: without color at the scale of 1:100,000. bombs and red-black lapilli form an Following in chronological order: intricate system, making it difficult to locate the craters. January 31st - BABALÀ-MADERTO. Elevation from 38 to 95 meters. This is February 24 HASSA and DERSAMO GARÒ. the extreme edge of the lava field in Elevation between 110 and 169 meters. the northeast. A group of eight craters, As in the previous groups, there are of which the largest - IBERRÈ - reaches two groups of volcanic hills, connected 95 meters height. It is located at the by a chain of smaller half cones, base of the basalt wall: between it and forming a harmonious system and of the other craters one can see the the same age. HASSA GARÒ,to the elements of a larger crater, resembling north, is the highest. We set a point of the FERRUT in the west side of the lava the geodetic network (elevation 169 field. This larger crater and FERRUT meters) just along the border of a small are both more than a kilometer in volcano exploded in the south side. In diameter. Some wells and tombs the south group as well, a small remind of the presence of local people. volcano, also exploded, dominates six incomplete small cones, which were February 22nd. CURSAITÙ COMA and formed in a single eruption. GAAROITA. Elevation between 217 and 241 meters. These are the names The area is surrounded by basaltic lava. of two groups of volcanic hills, located in the west side of Alìd volcano, under In this southeast region we find on the the basalt wall of mount BITEITO, surface many potable water sources, see where a thick network of runoff starts, Fig. 35, 36, 37. to end in the eastern side of the 1 SAMOTI . They represent the residual Page 144 craters of small cones, aligned from north to south: latter lava flows have Fig. 35 Water in ADEITÙ (at 35 meters filled the lower parts, and the below sea level). Volcanic stone brings to the surface potable water, and encourages Page 143 the vegetation. Alìd sits on the far horizon. March 2nd. OGGOLLÀ Mountains. 1 These hills are not included in the sketch Elevation from 90 to 131 meters. “Schematic sketch of the lava field”. They are These montains form a longitudinal outside the area , to the east.

17 Translation of Marini (1938)

alignment in the western region of the Danakil depression. In the background, lava field. Their western border is also flattened, one sees the crest of the M. the Oss basalt field's southwest SOLLÈ. boundary. Two small cones, well preserved, are in the west. In the south, Page 146 two well developed hills are surrounded by small craters, by a vast Fig. 38. OGGOLLÁ mountains. Small flow to the east and to the south, and volcanic cones in the western region of the by lava and scoria to the west. southeast lava field. Adjacent to this group, to the west, is a Fig. 39. ADDUMMÁ GARÒ Small volcanic typical lava field, once very fluid, cones, to the north of the previous cones, running from north to south (see Fig. almost a continuation of them. 39). Fig. 40. DISAS and vicinity. Small volcanic cones near the northwest edge of March 3rd. ADDUMMÀ GARÒ. Elevation the southeast lava field. from 126 to 147 meters. This is a group of well-developed, small The bocca we called A is to the northeast volcanoes. It is located in the fourth of this group, a bit far away. quadrant of the lava field. It can be This is the the tallest region of the subdivided in four smaller groups, the great lava field. In the southwest there is largest in the south; the others arranged the caravan trail going from SAMOTI to as a fan in the north side. The largest is UANGABÒ and ARÀFALI.(see Fig. 40). well preserved, the crater edge is Using all the previous information complete, and from the edge to the about the southeast lava field, we can bottom of the funnel like cavity there conclude that: are 40 meters difference. The other “Judging from the actual look, the lava small volcanoes are characteristically field must have been built after the broken on the southeast sides; for two formation and major activity of Alìd of them there was also a movement, in volcano.“ the same direction, of the chimney and “The secondary cones are almost of the crater’s edge (see Fig. 39). exclusively in the western half, and the most developed are those closest to the March 3rd. DISAS and surrounding areas. volcano.” Elevation from 130 to 228 meters. “The effusive boccas are preferentially Inside the lava field, not far from the found in the secondary cones. These cones northwest boundary. On the peak of showed a tendency to break in the the most southern hill there is a marker southeast direction, following the direction for the geodetic survey. Elevation 189 of flow of the lava.” meters. Two major remnants of craters “The major and deepest fractures are in the north and five small complete found preferentially in the eastern half of craters in the south are arranged in a the lava field.” cross. They are all surrounded by the [rest of the] southeast [Oss] lava flow. Page 147

Page 145 To make the surface structure more complex, explosive phenomena alternate Fig. 36. Watering hole at the GALAHÀ well (22 meters below sea level). On the with the outflow of new lava. Let us stop now on the OSS lava field volcanic alluvium, to the southeast of the of the northwest. From the maps of the lava field. 1 Fig. 37. The camp at HARADADDÀ (22 Istituto Geografico Militare we note that: meters below sea level). Large area of volcanic alluvium, at the beginning of the 1 See the sheets 21 ZULA and 28 BUIA at a scale of 1:100,000

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This portion of the lava field has many superimposed and in a row (201 meters). aspects in common with the one described Further to the northwest, [there are] four above. Its surface is approximately 110 craters in the shape of an isosceles square kilometers. The maximum length triangle, LUBAK GARO (elevation from from northwest to southeast is 14 136 to 177 meters); and again to the north, kilometers; the widest point, near Alìd, is two isolated craters, one 130 meters, the 10 kilometers. The width decreases other 147 meters, the latter being the fixed moving to the northwest, and reaches 5 point of the triangulation called kilometers in the region between the GANDALÌT. The group of five small MÀHTA and the small volcano FAFÀH-LE. craters, ANDILÌ (elevation 196 meters) is a The gentle slope has a maximum of 0.80 bit to the right, traversed by the trails that %. The maximum elevation of the lava in enter the labyrinth; towards the southeast, the southeast is 235 meters, whereas the there is another group of 8-10 cones and minimum towards the northwest is about craters, some intact, some broken down, 90 meters. the largest being the ADATTARÈ, reaching The contour lines, roughly drawn over an elevation of 323 meters. The caravan the uneven surface, show a longitudinal trail runs close to the latter group, around depression, enclosed between two the Lava Field. The presence of man is flattened ridges. In this depression one can shown by the various cemeteries and water see evident traces of two long fractures in holes. the lava mass; the first, more to the south, A brief note about the last edge of the in a region called ARÙG - elevation 180 northwest side of the Lava Field. The edge meters - is at least 2000 meters long. In a contains the volcano CARÀ ALLUMTA, horizontal projection it is represented by (elevation 122 meters), and a small two lines forming an obtuse angle. The peninsula whose highest points are the other depression, to the north, is much small volcano SURRISAN (elevation 144 longer (3000 meters), and it is shaped as meters), the FAFÀH-LE and some smaller an arch with the convexity to the east. ones. Probably, in ancient times, the two fractures were a single one, and they Page 148 continued a long way to the north- northwest; until the small volcano In this lava field in the north, like in the GABBAI-GARO (elevation 191 meters) and other in the south, there are concentric other smaller volcanoes to the south rows of white -yellow pumice at the edge created new shapes with their materials, of the lava. To the west of the lava field limiting the expansion of the lava coming there is the UANGABÒ plain, whose sands from the southeast, or more likely the lava cover the last region of the lava. The vast produced by a bocca close to the base of alluvial formation follows at the base of the crater cone. In fact, the examination of the plateau. the survey map shows an orographic form, by itself, of 1800 x 3000 meters. Let us make an attempt at classification of A few groups of small volcanic cones the various volcanic structures in this area are scattered in this lava field. Most of of Eritrea. them, if not all, are in the eastern half, as a) We will put in the first group the major opposed to the situation in the lava field in volcanoes, formed in eruptions of short the southeast, were they are found in the or long time. They have an elevation west side. A long central line made of between 500 to 1000 meters, and small groups, called: GABÀ HABÈN (170 represent the major sources of activity, meters), with four craters, one of which is with explosive phases, flows and reduced to half; a group of seven craters, discharges. Examples are JALUÀ, ALÌD, the AMBÀN being the largest, where a ALLAHADDÒ. marker for the geodetic triangulation was b) The second group contains the set (299 meters); another, much smaller volcanoes that do not reach the size of and to the north, made of three craters

19 Translation of Marini (1938)

the first group, but are distinguishable by craters that give the sterile and the large number of peripheral crater monotonous aspect to the landscape, cones. These volcanoes are located very common in this region. preferentially close to the great cleft d) The smaller structures emerging from bordering the Eritrean depression in the the volcanic surface, partly weathered, east and in the west. These structures are form the fourth and last group. They are formed mainly by detritus, they still have mainly the result of partial explosions the original shape and have uniform around fissures, the result of surface slopes, etc. expansion, or shreds of lava and detritus. We can enumerate on the western edge, These structures do not exceed the that is at the base of the Ethiopian high height of 10-20 meters, and they are so 1 plain, starting from Aràfali : DOLÀ (143 numerous that it is impossible to count meters), GARBANABÀ (202 meters), them. URÀI-DAGÀ (199 meters), CARÀ ALLUMTA (122 meters), DARCÒT (151 meters), DERELÌ (195 meters), FERRUT Page 149 (180 meters) and more. The opposite side, (the east side) is a series To conclude the previous descriptions: of volcanic mounts, parallel to the Alìd rises from the great fissure that coastal basaltic shelf, starting from the begins in the Dead Sea, crosses the Salt most notable group, the JALUÀ, Plains, the pond Aussa, the lakes Rudolf descending to the AMÀMO (420 meters), and Nyassa, and continues till the end of the OCOLÌ-DÀNA (469 meters), Dora the Zambesi river; (647 meters), Enda Alid (457 meters), The eastern part of Alìd is made of GADAHELI (359 meters), CURSAITÙ materials ejected from below the sea, COMA (238 meters), ASSA GARÒ (169 stratified, and now in the process of being meters)2. destroyed by short water courses flowing c) In the third group we have the numerous to the open sea to the east, and by the cones scattered around Alìd, and even weather in the west; whilst the more numerous inside the perimeters of southwestern region was covered by the two lava field of the northwest and of alluvial materials. the southeast. In the center-east region of If Alìd base was once submerged in the northern lava field and only in the the sea (which can be supposed by the western half of the south lava field, they finding of sedimentary rocks, and the two are aligned, and therefore converge great depressions in the northwest and around the center direction. These southeast), the highest parts, perhaps, were volcanoes are the most elementary not submerged. structures: they can reach 180 - 200 The more recent lava fields of meters of elevation, starting from 20, 30, northwest and southeast do not appear to 50 meters. Their detrital structure, have been under the sea, since their aspect sometimes broken and filled with lava, is is intact. The observation in situ of the common to all of them. They are isolated details (fissures, boccas, small cones etc.) or grouped in an intricate labyrinth of supports the illusion that the volcanic half or full rings of one, or more than activity has ceased just at the moment of one parallel chains, which converge and our observations; the color of some criss-cross each other. These are the materials (scoriae) is so well preserved that we find a complete gamut of colors, 1 See the sheets already mentioned 21 Zula and 28 from blood red to the bluish of tempered Buia steel. 2 The average elevation of the west mounts is 164 The fumaroles, the thermal sources, the meters, whilst those in the east have an average of frequent vibrations of the ground, etc. 394 meters; this ratio may suggest that the the confirm the instability of this eruptive secondary centers of activity were located between region. the major volcanoes and the eastern basalt wall .

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which grew out of the fissure, later on ALLUVIUM occupied by the creek itself. The cone [delta] of the DERRÀULE It is impossible to study the region to the starts at the BUIA wells, and expands to the west of Alìd volcano without mentioning east and more to the northeast for about 90 the alluvial formations that cover the base degrees, with slope between 0.7 and 2.44 of the Ethiopian massif. These formations %. The delta forms for about 5 kilometers represent the morphological union a region that separates the two low lying between the more ancient crystalline rocks areas of the UANGABÒ to the north, in the west, with the volcanic, more recent towards the gulf of ZULA, and the Salt rocks on the coast. Plain, towards SAMOTI. At one time the A great amount of terraced detrital DERRÀULE must have run from BUIA to materials covers the region from the the northeast, wetting on its left crystalline UANGABÒ plain to the river ENDELI, and rocks, and, in the actual bed of the beyond. The section delimited by the two LAÀUEN, ending up in the sea to the north. creeks EELÒ and DERRÀULE has a gentle Later, because of the large amount of slope towards Alìd, and may have materials carried by the EELÒ or because contributed to formation of the volcano, of the great accumulation of tuff and alternatively or at the same time. lapilli, it changed course, towards the It cannot be doubted that there was a closed basin to the southeast. time of competing activity between the The creek EELÒ changed course in the Ethiopian massif and Alìd; one filling the opposite way. From the original direction valleys with its rolling detritus, the other west-east, with successive directions, amassing cinder and lapilli violently turned by about 55 degrees, to run in the expelled from the inside; perhaps there present direction, almost south-north. was a major, uninterrupted chain of mountains joining the two, in the past. We now review the various phases of Once the period of great atmospheric terrace formation: precipitation, and the period of volcanic 1st terrace) Only a small portion of the activity finished, the erosion phase started, upper alluvial plain is left, at the end of the in a grand scale, with transport of the DERRÀULE, on the right. Here is the detritus; the low lying areas left by the geodetic marker (318 meters) called regression of the sea, and the minor EMBAITÒ. The narrowness of the passage valleys between volcanoes were filled. of the DERRÀULE to the plain (just 10 to Finally the immense volume of tuff, so 20 meters) explains the continuity and important in the construction of Alìd was abundance of water at the BUIA wells. partially exposed, leaving on the surface only the hardest materials, showing the 2nd terrace) It is rather large; a small inner parts continuously breaking down. portion surrounds the upper [terrace]; on This is the way that the intricate system of the left hand side of the creek is a vast small mesas, called BAREIRÀ, shows itself plain, with a gentle slope to the north, at present. The creeks DERRÀULE and called AFALÈ DERSAN; its dimensions are EELÒ, as soon as they reach the plain, have 4000 x 1500 meters, and its height goes formed a series of terraces still visible. from 250 to 286 meters. The watershed Most important is certainly the mentioned before crosses this region. DERRÀULE, because of its length and because it is so close to Alìd, 3rd terrace) More properly it should be denoted as a series of terraces, because is made of many flat areas. It is the most Page 150 jagged, and it is a continuation Fig. 41. Alluvial terraces between the base of the Ethiopian plateau and Alìd volcano . Page 151

21 Translation of Marini (1938)

Page 152 Fig. 42. Alìd volcano (Western crater basin) - Photographed from the north, one towards the northwest at the from the HAHAILÈ pass, at an elevation of UANGABÒ and ZULA, the other to the 673 meters. The round shapes are tuff that southeast at SAMOTI and the Salt Plain, constitutes the edge of the crater, almost still being formed. A short study of the entirely. In the middle [there is] a small terrace fragments leaning against Alìd and terminal [?] cone, called GHINDÀ; on the the small volcano DERELI will complete right hand side [there is] a black circle of this description. Moving from south to lava, the most recent gush, entangled in a north we have seen the volcanic tuff half crown shape, in whose center interspersed with the stratified alluvium of (indicated as VV) the abyss the west; we have deduced that this is the communicating with the inside [of the great lava disgorged from the mountain] opens. - The lowest spot is on southwestern side of Alìd, which has been the left side, inside the thick vegetation stopped by the alluvial terrace and by the (elevation 551 meters). tuffaceous hill (BAREIRÀ), still in its greatest development. of the region of DERRÀULE; it shows itself Black basalt lava, alternating with as many islands in the region of the EELÒ, small alluvial regions from the third where elements of the first and second terrace are present on the small volcano terraces are missing. The elevation goes DERELI; here we find also remnants of the from 252 meters to 201 meters, down to third and fourth terrace on the east, on the 163 meters in the last isolated parts close right side of the creek LAÀUEN, emerging to Alìd. This third terrace has small edges from the plain still in formation. Their on the left side of the DERRÀULE, before it location and elevation prove that this low comes out in the plain. The opposite lying zone was already invaded by alluvial occurred in the entrance of the EELÒ, materials from the third and fourth terrace, where (the third terrace) was completely and that the creek LAÀUEN dug its bed in removed, leaving on the surface rock this zone, probably with the help from the spikes (gneiss and syenite similar to the flow of the DERRÀULE and EELÒ together. rocks in the opposite side) which form the Let us examine the planimetry of the highest region of the zone submerged by DERELI; we see the outline of two craters the flood. This terrace shows the strongest or basalt belts, probably due to the lateral effects of the combined activity of the two shift of volcanic chimney. On these creeks, the DERRÀULE and the EELÒ; its (craters) alluvial materials were stratified, area is the second largest. The watershed and later almost completely removed by continues on this terrace up to the successive flows. CABARÀ AF NABÒ pass, at an elevation of From our observations, one may 213 meters. conclude that the first explosive-volcanic phases preceded the alluvial build up, and 4th terrace) It has the largest area. then it indubitably follows that the Because of the waters of the EELÒ, it has a following final activity of Alìd occurred at major development to the north. At the the same time as the immense alluvial outlet of the EELÒ, begins the ANGHERA transport of detritus from the high plain ALI Plain. The plain is 5500 meters long that fill the nearby marine lowlands. and more than 2500 meters wide. This terrace has separated fragments to the north, on the right hand side of the creek ROCKS GALICALÒ, and to the south on the two banks of the DERRÀULE . Let us examine the materials expelled from Alìd, from smaller volcanoes, and The most recent terrace) It is divided in from fissures in the earth. These rocks two great regions, have many different forms: cinder and lapilli, scoriae, pumice, obsidian and tuff.

22 Translation of Marini (1938)

From the chemical point of view, they can #103 Basalt from ASANDADO, far to the be classified in three distinct groups: north of Alìd - rather fresh, black Basalt, liparite and dacite. green, with phenocrysts of yellow- Basaltic rocks are the most common green olivine; extremely small mass (of the three groups); they are around 50% made mostly of feldspar and pyroxene, silica, almost never contain olivine, have abundant olivine. an andesite-labradorite feldspar and an #51 Hyalobasalt inside one of the craters augitic-diopsidic pyroxene. of M. DAGGARO; it is scoriaceous, The next group is the liparites, with an very porous, red-brown, with big acidity between 67.5 and 73.7 % [wt. % glassy, tabular feldspar crystals. SiO2 ]. In this group the feldspar is Resembles non olivine-bearing anorthoclase; and there is augitic basalt.The silica percentage is 50.2 %. pyroxene. #53 Hyalobasalt from a crater cone to the Finally, the dacites are not very east of M. DAGGARO. It is a sample different in acidity from the previous ones from a flattened volcanic bomb; (67.4 to 71.6%) and are made of an Segregations of green pyroxene and oligoclase-andesine feldspar, and a brown glassy feldspar can be seen easily in amphibole, hornblende. the porous red-brown glass; pores are filled with calcite and zeolites. Silica content 49.3%. BASALTIC ROCKS #51bis. Hyalobasalt from the southernmost crater cavity of M. DAGGARO. 1 Complete volcanic bomb, spherical, # 45 Olivine basalt, near the HADÌD black very compact with fewer waters, microcrystalline, black, porphyritic segregations than the without large phenocrysts [interclusi to previous one. Silica content 50.7%. the author, apparently this means #54 Hyalobasalt from a small crater more phenocryst]: mineral components are: to the north of M. DAGGARO- bubbly plagioclase, olivine, augite, magnetite, lava, black, very rich in glassy feldspar ilmenite. Feldspar is predominant. inclusions, and the usual microlites of They all are from the eruptive period. feldspar and pyroxene. Silica 51.5%. #52 Olivine basalt, to the west of M. #54bis Hyalobasalt in the southeast region SOLLÈ, were it forms two distinct of the Lava Field [Oss]. - It is typical islands among the tuff. It is almost for its ropy texture; it is more black, fine grain and porous, without crystalline than vitreous, and has a large phenocrysts. The components are clear fluid aspect. Silica content the same mentioned above. They were 50.8%. made in the eruptive period. Page 153 LIPARITIC ROCKS #40 Porphyritic olivine basalt from M. #52 Spherulitic Felso-liparite , somewhat south of M. SOLLÈ; it is made of a GAMARÒ. It is hard, fine-grained, gray-pink mass with many scattered black, with a few shiny phenocrysts white spherulites of quartz and [interclusi, ed.] of feldspar. feldspar. It resembles a porfido #23 Porphyritic vesicular basalt from the petroselcioso [term unknown, ed.] for region of DERELÌ, to the west of Alìd - black, finely crystalline, with well its composition and structure. # 55 Hyaloliparite of the region DERI in visible crystals of peridote (Mg- the southeast Lava Field. - It definitely olivine), augite (almost black) and looks like pumice and it contains many feldspar (vitreous and transparent). glassy inclusions of feldspar, and less of green pyroxene. The glass in this 1 These are the progressive numbers of the rock is light gray, filamentous, bubbly gathered samples.

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with elliptical pores that are highly DACITIC ROCKS elongate and contain a fluidal structure. Silica 72.5%. #61e Hornblende felso-dacite. From the #56 Obsidian close to the water of southern edge of Alìd’s crater. AGOGHITO east of Alìd. Black rock, Elevation 600 meters. It is a compact compact, with scaly fracture, without mass, aphanitic, red brown, with a few large crystals. It shows characteristic phenocrysts of glassy feldspar, and fluidity under the microscope. It is of a even fewer of black hornblende. It is liparitic nature, since the silica content now a spherulitic mass with a red- is 73.7%. ochre color. Silica 71.6%. #14 Obsidian from the western foot of b Alìd. Scattered in the black glass are #61 Hornblende Hyalodacite. From a spherulites, visible with the naked eye, location close to that above, in the and many crystallites in the shape of crater of Alìd. A few crystals of margariti and longuliti [terms feldspar and a very few of hornblende unknown, ed.]. Silica 71.2%. are scattered in a gray glass; it has a #14bis Pumice, also from the western foot fluidal structure. Silica 68.3%. of Alìd. It is typically made of a light #64 Hyalodacite from the hill of HEUCEÙ, gray glass, with a silky shine; the pores southwest of the DEGGHERTO wells. A are filled with calcite, which may red-gray porous rock. The pores are reduce the bulk silica content; filled with calcite and zeolites. Under therefore it is probably liparitic. Silica the microscope it appears as a gray 67.3%. glass, the whole [is] made reddish yellow by an ochre-like pigment. Silica Page 154 67.5 %.

#26 Pumice tuff of the creek ALEITALI to WATER, GASEOUS the south-southwest of Alìd. Elevation EMANATIONS ETC. 230 meters. White silky tuff, very light, made of volcanic detritus held Let us examine briefly the gaseous and together by a little calcitic cement, liquid emanations1 of Alìd volcano, as very friable. It can be classified as they are at present. liparitic tuff. #113 Granophyric liparite. Of M. February 8, 1902 - ERTACALÈ (elevation GHELUALE. It is compact, rough to the 596 meters). It is inside the major crater of touch, color yellow-red; in the aphantic Alìd (that is the eastern one), and close to mass one can see porphyritic crystals the camp. From a small elevated area of of kaolinitized feldspars. Silica 72.4%. 20-30 meters in diameter we observe the #109 Liparite, near the LAERIMA wells. It exit of high temperature gases from around is reddish-gray, and rather weak, ten fissures. The ground is very hot, the because of alteration: under the materials are in a paste-like state. We microscope it appears as an aggregate gathered a sample of the vapors in a bottle: of quartz and feldspar microlites. the analysis of the Istituto di Igiene of the #85 Liparite from the GALIGOLÓ pass. A University of Florence gave only the result brown, fundamentally aphanitic mass, of with segregations of phenocrysts of H2S : trace kaolinitized feldspars. #102 Liparite from FOLLOCLI. Light gray, The fissures that are most easily aphanitic with large white phenocrysts approached are used by the locals to boil of feldspar, and other smaller ones of clear, colorless quartz. Silica 74.5%.

1 For the location see the original survey and the “Planimetric sketch of Alìd”, fig 2

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water1; many locusts from a recent swarm = 0.0257 ferrous oxide [per died in this location. Some local lore mil] originated in this area: the devil’s work is =0.02857 iron oxide [per mil] seen everywhere! Carbonic acid partially free A thick smoke can be seen in the and combined in great quantity. morning around these fissures. February 12.– A bit to the east (about 300 Page 155 meters) there is another group of crevices, forming an almost equilateral Fig. 42. ERTACALÈ. Gaseous emanations triangle with the two mentioned above. from the eastern crater of Alìd. On the left, It is marked as a small black segment, one can see local huts; notice the the same mark used for the gaseous stratifications of the last materials ejected only emanations. Somewhat below from the volcano. [this place], there are houses of local people [probably Abakri, ed.]. February 8 – Vapors are seen from two fissures in the eastern crater of Alìd, February 14. – In the west crater of Alìd, about 650 meters south of ERTACALÈ. and more precisely from two deep They are noted in the survey from 651 cracks open in the belt of lava formed meters elevation, and they are not as in the last eruptions of plastic materials important as other fumaroles. from the volcano, issues non-sulfurous gases that February 12 – ASSAELÀ LAÈ (Elevation 465 meters). Little water, but Page 156 consistent and potable. It is located at the end of a slide, close to the trail that are probably fed by rain water, which goes from Alìd summit to the is collected in the caldera (?). To the UANGABÒ plain, in the northwest east there is a terminal crater, made of direction. This water is certainly in fragmental materials, reduced to half communication with the water above; [of its original size]. The eastern part as will be mentioned below. only is left. Further to the east we have the lowest spot of the enclosed crater February 12 – AD BIR ASSAELÀ (elevation basin (elevation 551 meters).2 484 meters). This name does not appear in the survey at 1:50,000, February 12 – ILLAGHEDE LAÈ (elevation because it is included in the adjacent from 552 to 580 meters). Large region below. The water flows out as a quantities of gas and water at high very hot vapor. This vapor condenses, temperature are expelled from the foot and it is stored in small basins. The of the highest part of Alìd, in the left of surrounding soil is hot and humid. the canyon formed by the erosion of Vapor jets are launched from four or the creek also called ILLAGHEDE. As is five crevices to a great distance. mentioned above, for about 30 vertical meters, the land is steep, and riddled The chemical analysis of the sample water with small openings from which gave the following results: violent jets of vapor are expelled. H2S absent Water flows puffing and gurgling from Fe abundant - from five or six openings not too far away. colorimetric determination grams 0.02 [per It resembles a big forge, full of mil] activity: it is certainly the most vital manifestation. The surrounding soil is

1They are from the Saho tribe Hasu Mohamed 2 Regarding this point, see the map of Alìd, and Caiuia. fig.5, “Bottom of the western crater”

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hot and can cause burns. The water, as fact that sea water has had little direct it exits, is mixed with earth. But [after] influence. a bit of decanting in the basin below, it becames potable. The water has an SEISMIC iridescent film due to metallic sulfides, either in solution or in suspension. There is a lot of sulfur color around; Among the observations gathered in this the water tastes of iron. What a coastal zone, there were also those magnificent pallet is made of the concerning the seismic state of the region. incrustations’ colors, from white to I am reporting here the acoustical and blood-red to orange! vibrational phenomena that could be The water collected from the second basin deemed relevant and could be felt with from the top was sampled and certainty. These phenomena were analyzed. The results are as follows: observed without the help of instruments, but just following my methodical H2S abundant Fe small quantity. technique of notebook recording. It can be classified as a sulfur-iron water. It is certain that this Eritrean plate [plaga: could be interpreted as zone but February 17 M. GADAHELÌ. We cannot has root similar to plate, tr.] is far from its ignore this small mount, the most final shape. One should not be surprised if developed near Alìd, and attached to seismic phenomena shake this region, and Alìd by alluvial terraces. Particular with it the century old indifference of the attention must be given to the highest inhabitants. This is a region where the region, where lava and tuff are in earth crust underwent drastic contact on the surface. The passage modifications, where a granite massif is from which the vapors ascend was adjacent to piles of schist; where so many established where the two [tuff and lava formations were made under the sea, lava] detached from each other. In fact, to rise later to an elevation of two close to the top, and in opposite kilometers, meanwhile generating one of directions, there are two crevices; 900 the most noticeable fractures of the earth meters away, in a northwestern crust. This is a region in which the direction, and over a small hill, lowlands (elevation 342 meters), three more crevices form a characteristic group. Page 157 There is no trace of sulfur vapors. Fig. 43. Eritrean colony. Schematic from ASSAGARO (elevation 15 meters). We the plateau to the sea. Scale 1:1,000,000 should add to this list the gas flows of the crater furthest south within the were covered by new volcanic formations ASSAGARO group; of these we (basalt terraces in the coast, volcanoes of mentioned on page.139, when we almost 1000 meters height, lava fields for examined the effusive boccas. hundreds of square kilometers), where still now the sea bottom is rising, forming new One cannot exclude the possibility that coral banks. How fascinating it is to watch other gas emanations and effusive the local inhabitants' commotions when outpourings of lava can be found, if these underground movements occur: they only one could explore in more detail are not prepared to accept such phenomena this wild region. as simple and natural; in fact the devil The dominant [chemical] elements of appears in their minds quite often, and Alìd’s emanations are sulfur, iron, etc. often they would swear that they have The absence, or near absence of actually seen him. sodium chloride may point out to the Alìd appears to be the center of the seismic and volcanic activity of the Eritrean region. [Alìd] constitutes the

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major structure of the watershed between eastern Europe and in the United States the gulf of ZULU and the Red Sea to the (Great Lakes region). [The above north., and the lowlands of the BADDA and mentioned phenomenon] preceeded the RAGAD to the south. signals from afar by 1 hour, 15 [Alìd] is in the center of the thermal minutes. activity on the coast, from near NACFA in IV) December 7, 1901. hour 20:50 the west to the [thermal activity] of EDD- (19:10). Underground rumble at the ASSAB in the south. BUIA wells. Temperature 31, pressure [Alìd] is the major volcanic structure; 759, -c.co. , 3/8- ve. southeast, in 4/8, on its surface, and around it there are the fo. 5/8.inter.15d, 23h. large numbers of thermal springs, Minimum signal in the morning at Rocca fumaroles, and other secondary signs of di Papa [a seismological station near volcanic activity. Rome]; stronger signal between 22 and Finally Alìd sits on the line of 23 hours, again at Rocca di Papa and maximum orogenic stress, which initiates Caserta [another station, close to in the highest regions of the high plateau, Naples]. It preceeded the far away descendes through the DERRAULE valley, signals by 3 hours, 20 minutes. dividing terrains of different V) December 20, 1901. hour 04:30 (02:50) characteristics, and via the highest alluvial Underground rumble at MAHARALLE, terraces runs through Alìd itself, to M. in the high valley of DERRAULE, BITEITO and on to HÀNFILA. among the steep and high mountains. pi. 2/8, ve. southeast, in. 1/8 -fo. 5/8 - Here is the list of observations: inter.12d 7h. VI) December 31, 1901 hour 13 I) 11 november, 1901 hour 6:50 (5:10) - (approximate) - Underground roar Strong shake, with rumble, at the BUIA between the mounts TICOLÈ and wells , that is TUNSIÙ, near NADAOIBODE. inter. 11d, 9h. Page 158 Strong movements in many regions of the earth. The first group, between the at the mouth of the DERRAULE creek. Mild hour of 07:06 and 08:24, was recorded shock 4 minutes later; one more the at Rocca di Papa, Trieste, Strasbourg, same evening. We could determine Edinburgh and Canada - the second with certainty the direction of the wave group between the hour of 10:15 and from east-northeast to west-southwest. 12:30, [was felt] in a more extended Temperature 30.8, pressure 760.3. area: together with the locations II) November 16, 1901 Hour 10:05 mentioned before, tremors were (08:25). Underground rumble, at the recorded also in the United States, BUIA wells. Temperature 30.6, India and Australia, with an intensity pressure 760, - c.co. 2/8. inter 5 d, 3 h. maximum at 10:50 at Nicolaiew, at III) November 21 1901 hour 21:55 11:01 at Bombay, and at 11:12 at (20:15). Underground roar, at the BUIA Rocca di Papa, at the same time of the wells. Temperature 32.1 Pressure seimic activity of the second group. 760.7, ve. southeast, in. 5/8 -fo 6/8[?], VII) January 1, 1902 hour 10 inter. 5d 12h. (approximate) (08:20). Underground roar on the TUNSIÙ mountains, at This was a day of remarkable activity in about 1900 meters elevation. Europe, with accompanying ve.southeast, in. 5/8-fo.5/8 inter. 0d movements in northeastern America; 21h. [also] in Italy, including the islands, in Noticeable and very extended vibrations England and in Germany between recorded all over Italy, England, 18:39 and 19:35, with precursors in the Germany, Russia, Canada, United first morning hours in central and States, and nearby in Egypt between the hours of of 5 and 9, with a

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maximum at 7:38 in Florence and 7:08 XI) February 12, 1902. hour 07:30. Strong in Calcutta. In Messina there was a roar on the volcano Alìd, inside the undulating wave with rumble at 15:34. major eastern crater. The shake repeats [The latter] at the same time was the at 17:45, and again at 20 (18:10). most active seism. In this day, the 12th, and in the following VIII) January 2, 1902. hour 07:30 (05:50). morning [there was] a great seismic Underground roar at the MAHARALLE correlation activity, in various groups, wells, among the steep, high in the most distant regions of the Earth. mountains.(just like # V) ve. southeast, [There was] a disastrous earthquake in in.5/8, -fo.5/8, inter. 0d 21h. the Caucasus. The repeated (three Between the hours of 11:40 and 16:27 times) repeated seismic episodes [there were] vibrations diffused in observed in the Alìd region makes one distant points of the earth. From think that there is a relation between central Italy to England, New Zealand, Alìd and global activity. United States. It preceeded the signal XII) February 24, 1902. hour 20:40 (19). from afar by a few hours. Mild shock at BABALÀ-MADERTO, on IX) January 15, 1902. hour 07:30 (05:50). the eastern slope of Alìd.te. 32.7 - Small roar near the BUIA wells.te.26- pr.761-ve. southeast, in.6/8- fo.6/8 pr.757.5, c.co 8/8 - pi.2/8, inter.13d. inter. 12d 4h. Between the hour of 6 til 10, waves were XIII) March 4, 1902. hour 22. registered in Florence: the following (approximately) (20:20) Earthquake morning there was an earthquake in the shock at UETÈN, on the southwestern Marche [a region of Italy]. It was at slopes of Alìd. We heard two distinct the same instant as the far away snaps, with vibrations before, in recording. between, and even longer after the event. The direction of the seismic Note. The observation time is the true wave was from east to west. te.29.3- local time; in parentheses is the inter.8d 1h. average time of Central Europe. It In central and southern Italy [there were] was deemed appropriate to add the mild shakes between the hours of weather conditions at the moment of 11:10 and 24:00. Therefore these are observation, and to use some simultaneous with these tremors. abbreviations: d days,h hours, m XIV) March 5, 1902. hour 4:00 minutes, te. temperature, pr. (approximately) (2:20) One more pressure.c.co covered sky, pi. rain, shake, weaker than the preceeding one, ve. wind direction, in. wind speed, in the same locality. Since the interval fo.fog, inter. time between two is short, it might be a repetition of the successive seismsic events. previous tremor. te.20- ve. southeast in. 4/8, inter.0d 6h. Page 159 [In this day] intense earthquakes were felt in the most remote regions of the X) February 4, 1902. hour 17:35 (15:55) globe. In the morning, between 03:38 Underground roar near the BUIA wells. to 05:00, a first period of movements te.26.8, pr.762.3, c.co.8/8-pi.6/8. and rumble. From 8:05 to 8:28 there is First group, between the hour of 00:32 and a second period, with rumbles, and an 02:34 in the most distant regions of the earthquake in Tuscany, and in the earth, from central Italy to Germany, region of Calabria-Sicily. In the Russia, the Cape of Good Hope and evening, a third period from 20:08 to Australia. In Florence, at 10:15, 21:41, with the registration of a distant frequent groups of waves. It followed earthquake. Therefore it is the vibrations from afar by a few simultaneous with the first group of hours. earthquakes. XV) January 20, 1902. hour 16 (approximately) (14:20). Violent gas

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expulsion, with slight vibrations, from word snap describes a sound like the the crater of the small volcano ASSA breaking of a trunk, short, metallic, as if GARO, during the survey operations. something is ripped apart violently. This volcano is found in the great Lava The distance between the volcano Alìd Field of the southeast. te. 26-pr. 756,4. and Rome is 4100 [kilometers]; the (This event was added to the original geographic position of the observation list: chronologically it should be point [is] 14 degrees 50 minutes north between the IX and X seism ). latitude and 39 degrees 50 minutes A few comments, to summarize: Greenwhich longitude. The observation period was only 4 A precision measurement could be months (114 days), from the 11th of useful for the altimetry study of this November, 1901 to the 5th of March, Eritrean coastal region. This measurement 1902. should start at SENAFÈ, follow the ENDELI, The largest number of phenomena was reach the BADDA, ADAITO and SENOITALI found during the stay at the BUIA lowlands, and finish to the sea at MEDER, wells: this could be explained by the where one could locate a mareografo [an position of the wells between the instrument to record continuosly the sea altipiano and the volcanic regions, but level, from which the average level can be also because we spent more time there. estimated accurately] in a tranquil bay. The “Bollettino della Societa’ Finally, the Alìd summit could be an Sismologica Italiana”, in the volumes ideal location for a weather and VIII and IX, gives precious geophysical observatory. On Alìd's top, at information. The tremors III, IV,VI, more than 900 meters elevation, not too far VII,IX and XIV occurred while other from the sea and in front of the plateau, regions of the globe were also shaken one could have unlimited views, potable more or less violently. For those water, wild game and domestic animals. marked as VIII, X,XI,XIII and XV, even though they have similar features Toponomy (Derivations of as those from the seismic observatories, the relationship cannot Place Names) be established. The tremors I, II, V and XII do not agree with any, and should Some critical study and evaluation of be considered as purely local. The first the names (of localities) gathered during three are due to orogenic effects, and the exploration of this region of Eritrea the fourth comes from the volcano’s [follows].The area has a history of conflict, perimeter. immigration, conquest, and now of productive peace. The area is situated in the great road to the East, straddling two continents: the African and the Asian. Page 160 Many languages are spoken: Saho, Dancalo, Somali, Arabic, Tigre, etc. Fig. 44. Locations of the seismic Sometimes, place names appear to orinate phenomena in the Eritrean coastal region. from words taken from two different languages. The events VIII, IX and XI occurred at It is useful to remember that the vowel the same time (7h, 30 min local time) “u” changes frequently into “o” (as in while the VI,VII,and VIII there was an Arabic); especially in the last syllable; the equal interval of time (0d, 21 h). vowel “i” changes into “e”. The consonant Therefore there were 15 seismic “l” has an intermediate sound between “l, phenomena, of which three repeated d, and r” in the Saho and Dancalo themselves. languages. This is true for many similar We used the word roar to describe a sounds, therefore it may be likely that low, long-lasting sound; the word rumble there are errors of transcription or is louder, and more violent but short; the

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interpretation: the Ascaris1, our excellent the transcription Alit or Alìd; the helpers, were also our interpreters, since second prevailed. they understood our language. They come 3) AIROLÈ . airo as. = Sun ; le, abbreviated from many different regions of the form of ale = hill, height . Sunny Colony, and they may heights. This is the name of the rocky buttress that leaves the top of Alìd in Page 161 the east. Because of the east-west direction, it is under sunlight from have reinterpreted in their own language morning to evening. Just the opposite, the word obtained from the local people. there is a valley, close to Comailo, We list here the names as they were called Airò Malè = without sunlight. written in the survey map (1:50,000), with 4) AMBÀBAT. Name of a small tuff hill, our derivations of each. It is comforting to and a deep valley northwest of Alìd. notice that the word describes, in many Perhaps from “ain-bab-at”, in ar.= cases, the nature of the detail in question. Door to the Water. In fact there is water on the northwest slope of the The abbeviations used are as volcano. follows 5) AMÒ D AGUDDI. amo, as. and da.= ab Abyssinia head, summit; dagudde, as. and da. af.cen. Central vase or basket to carry water. Funnel Africa shape locality north of Alìd, crowned ar. Arabic by small spikes, close to the trail that as. Assaorta goes to the top of the volcano. da. Dancali 6) ASSAGOLÒ. as,asa,assa ,sa.and so.= red. eg. Egypt This word is in many names.golo, da. pe. Persian is a weaved carpet used for sleeping. sah. Sahara This is the name of various heights, sa. Saho flattened, to the west of Alìd, probably so. Somali due to their flat shape and the red color su. Sudan of the granite in the area. ti. Tigre 7) ASSALOELÌ. assa, eli , see #6 and #2. These are shared by many names. It is also the name of a small hill southeast Orography of Alìd, due to some interrupted flow of lava from the side of the volcano, 1) ADÒ HOLLI AF - Ado, da. and so. partially covered by the flood. white; -hol , ar. small hill; -af so, 8) BAREIRÀ. bar, sa. and da. night, west. opening , passage, valley, estuary; it is Not very clear. The same word is used found in the name of many localities. to describe small hill of cinder and Literally “white hill pass”. lapilli west of Alìd, or for the hill that 2) ALÌD ( mountain) - al,ale,ali, heli (plural divides the eastern crater from the Alìd or alit) sa. = top, summit, peak. It western crater. The latter is made of is the mountain by definition in the the same materials as the former. region (probably similar to el gebel, 9) CARÀ AMÒ. cara sa. black, lava rock, the Etna ). It is the name of the highest locality were lava and sharp stones are peak, and the name of the whole abundant. amo see #5. This is the name massif. I was not sure whether to use given to the west side of the western crater. This side is black, especially towards the interior. 1As a matter of honor I report the names of those ATTIBUBÒ who accompanied me during the topographic 10) D . dat so. = track, furrow, mission of 1901-1902: Bulue Basei, Nami Aga way; qubba ar.= dome; quobba, Osman; Ascari: Mohamed Ibrahim, Alì Rabrabà, +mount. Small mount, standing alone Serag Nurrù, Mohamed Nur Zugur, Abdall Nassir, and rather round , to the east of Alìd; Mussa Ibrahim, Mahamud Hamed. to the south , not far, there is

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19) MAHALÒ. From mahal ar.= locality, Page 162 residence. The suffix in o, on, makes it undetermined. Or else from mahalo a mule trail that goes to the east, sa.= spear, warrior, as a remembrance passing through a narrow aperture. of some bloody episode. It is a flat area 11) DIBEARÀ. dib-i ara ,sa = desert rocks; on the northern slope of Alìd, dibab, ar.= pebble, rock, stonyhill. It is surrounded by three tops, and probably the name of one of the peaks on the the location of a village. Certainly a major crater of Alìd, in the east. In this good observation point for the entire location there is a disordered number region to the north of the volcano. of black boulders, remnants of the last 20) MESCHIN MARHADDA maskin ar. = lava expelled. poor. marhadda sa. = the butcher. 12) EDAERALI. ed, id, id li, eg.= healthy Literally “ the poor man’s butcher “ or ,straight .ali see #2 . This is the name “ the butchered poor man”, as I was of a peak, well visible and round, that told on site. It is certainly the memory unite the two crater crowns of Alìd, to of some bloody occurrence. It is one of the south. the most prominent heights on the 13) EERAI. e, e sa. = bleat of a goat; ray,rai northern region of the volcano. It is not da. = goat. This is another peak on the improbable that there might be some major crater of Alìd towards southeast. relation with the previous location, In the northern slope there are goats, which is near and at a lower elevation. and a pasture can be found in the plain 21) UETEN GARÒ. uato da. = stone, on the northwest. rock.uatan ar. = native village .garo 14) ENDA ALÌD. end a as.=small; Alìd see see #15. Literally “Native village of #2. Name given to the volcanic mount the stones (?)”. It is an impassable area situated to the northeast of Alìd. The south of Alìd, due to successive phases two mounts are joined at the EGHIDDÀ of volcanic activity. pass. It is called the small Alìd, when 22) UGUELÌ. ogu sa.=standing upright,ugu compared to the major volcano. ?= top, apex. ali see# 2. Literally “the 15) FAFEIÀ GARÒ. fa su.= mountain; af, unmistakable top of the mountain”. see #1; gara, sa. and da. = to cut; garo This is another peak crowning the = one section; means also “low site in major crater in the south. between two high sites”. This is the 23) SERRECHELÈ AMÒ sarrach, serrech name given to the highest of the small sa. = after, beyond. le denotes volcanic hills to the south-southeast of possessive amo see #5. It seems that Alìd. The FAFEIÀ pass is below them. the meaning is “beyond the mountain”. 16) FILLADED. filla sa.=neck; adad so. This is a locality in the high region of trees. This is the highest mountain, Alìd, due to a fracture or to erosion; round in shape, to the northwest of the further, far away from the observation western crater. In the north side there point. are trees. The creek AMBÀBAT starts from its northern slopes . Water, watershed , basins 17) GADAHELÌ (Mount). gada ar. = mesa ; heli see #2. Flat heights to the east of 24) ARGUDDÒ. gudda,guddi sa.= hole, Alìd, very steep towards the west, east pit.; arguddo sa. is the name of the tree and north. Since heli means height, the “Celastrus Inermis” , common in the common term mount is not necessary. region 18) GHERSAMO (Mount). From gars? sa.= plant, “salvadora persica” and amo, see #5. Literally “ head of the salvadora Page 163 persica”. It is a beautiful mountain, from which a buttress starts, to the It is the name of a creek that flows southwest of Alìd. from Alìd towards the southwest, and runs in the canyon dug between the

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recent lava in the east and the tuff Literally ” Exit of the gathered water heights in the west. (?)”. It is at the base of Alìd, to the 25) ASSAELÀ LAÈ. assa see#6, ‘ela south. There is a justaposition of the sa.ti.da.so. = well, cistern; lae.lay, ley MAUIL AMO above, and the MAUIL AF le, da.sa.= water. Literally “the water below, where the rain water is stored in of the red well”. This is the name of cavities in the lava. the thermal springs on the northwest 32) SILALLÒ. silu af.cen.= road ; silal slopes of Alìd. The surrounding soil is sa.and da.= shade, without sunlight. covered with brightly colored Both give a solution: the name is given incrustations. to a creek that descends in a deep 26 CONCA ENDARO. enda aro, sa. and da fracture of the volcano Alìd in the east. aro ti. =sycamore, or from another root The only trail to gain access to the top enda , see #14 and ara (plural from that side runs parallel to this aror)da.and sa.= plain [conca is the fracture. italian word for basin]. It is the flat bottom of a basin at the base of Alìd, Localities -- regions towards the south. It is delimited in the west small tuff hills, to the south the craters of UETÈN, on the east lava 33) AARÈD. harr and ard ar.= warm.ara, flows, and to the north the base of the ari-t sa. running creek. Name given to volcano. the low and flat locality to the 27) ERTACALÈ. er da.=smoke, er ti da. of northwest of Alìd, lined with trees and smoke; ale see #2. Literally “Mountain criss-crossed by creeks descending of Smoke”. This name is given to a from the volcano. fissure in the east crater of Alìd, from 34) ABAAT AF. abad ar.= place of prayer; which vapors are constantly emitted. It sometimes it is used for a farmed place is not certain whether it should be or a densely populated area. af see#1. written Erto-ale. Locality to the southeast of Alìd, 28) IRAR . arar , plural of ara da. plain, flat where two mule trails converge to land. It is the name of a small creek on enter in the Lava Field to the west. the southwest slope of Alìd. This creek Close by are houses. changed its primitive course, leaving a 35) AMAITOLI. a prefix; maji see #31; oli, short zone with an uncertain slope. exchaged with ale? or with le, see #30. One may add that in this region the There are no other satisfactory sound “a” is easily exchanged for “i”, solutions. It is a slope not too high of or viceversa: ARAFALI, now used in Alìd, in the bottom of which rain water the maps, is pronounced locally accumulates. IRAFALO. 36) ARGAI. ar da.= to hide, means also 29) ILLAGHEDE LAÈ hill or hell so.=eye, tranquil; gah, gahe da. = to return, spring .gade or ghede sa.= valley, returned. This is the place to the south creek; lae see #25. ” Water of the of Alìd, where the only trail Creek or of the Spring “ . ela sa. well: connecting to the mysterious southeast one may think that it would be better to Lava Field starts. We walked this trail. write “ela ghedi lae”. This is the name of the thermal spring south of Alìd’s Page 164 summit. 30) MADERTO HOLE . madera sa.= tree,” The word seems almost to be a good Cordia Abissinica”.to sa.=of ; le sa. omen “ Come back!” locality, place. ”Place of the Madera 37) ASSALAU. assa see #6. lau is possibly tree”. Small watershed on the northern exchanged with lae, see#25. Perhaps it slope of theAlìd; is covered with trees means “Red Water”. This is the color at the beginning and in the lowest part. of the water that comes out from the 31) MAUIL AF. ma , maji ar. =water;mau inner parts of the volcano to the plain, sa. to arrive , to join? ; af see # 1. carrying brightly colored materials.

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38) BALASLÈ (Plain of). balus sa.= tree of Products the species “Ficus Palmata”; le, see #30. This is the name given to the flat Let us see if the coastal Eritrean region can vast southeast region of Alìd. This give us some contribution. region is rich in vegetation. It is the The stratified schist rocks are above largest alluvial fan, almost entirely the granite. It is not difficult to believe made of volcanic materials; it ends that the schist rocks were covering the under the edge of the Lava Field. granite entirely in ancient times. 39) CORCORA . kor-o sa.= mountain. The Above all of them, and last to be suffix “ a, on” means indefinite, formed , are the saccaroid limestone; undetermined, like in arabic. Sharp these materials are particularly useful spikes of a characteristic crateric to the building industry. crown rise from the alluvial slopes, on A first group of the latter ones makes the northwest edge of Alìd. up the top of the mounts TUNSÙ, JARRÈ 40) ENDA GAULÈ. enda, see #14. gau-le and LAGAGALI-DAGÀ., crowning from the sa.= locality of the echo. haul, sa.= south and west the high valley of terror. The region southeast of Alìd, in DERRAULE , at about 2000 meters the vast northern region of the Lava elevation, with an average slope of 40% in Field. Light phenomena (mirage) and the southwest direction. acoustical phenomena are common in A second group is the heights of some areas of this desert. IDEITÀ and ASSECAL, southeast of the 41) GADOELÌ AF gada-heli see #17.af see BUIA wells. The elevation of this group is #1.”Outlet or mouth of the about 700 meters, and it is aligned from GADAHELI”. To the east of Alìd, it is northwest to southeast, declining in the the access to the mountain from the opposite direction, to the east, with a slope plain. of 38 degrees. 42) GOROBGAHARTO. garab sa.= forest A third group, made of saccaroid (plural garub)-ga’a = assault to the marble more to the north, at BURI, enemy with success. herto da. hera-tu sa. = the origin of many tribes. This is an important place near the EGHIDDÀ Page 165 pass, with houses, tombs, etc. It is a well-known narrow passage, once the Fig.45. Position of the saccaroid limestone battle field of adjacent tribes. along the creek DERRAULE (first and 43) ILLAGHEDE AF. illa sa.= well, or second group in the description). spring, or proper name; ghede see #29; Fig 46. Position of the saccaroid limestone af see #1. “ Outlet or mouth of the at BURI, east of the salt pond, at BARDÒLI. creek Illa?”. Famous locality, at the (third group in the description). end of the deep SILALLÒ valley, east of Alìd. three kilometers east of the salt pond BARDÒLI, and just 1 kilometer south of the 44) OSS. This name is given to two vast 1 lava fields northwest and southeast of mount GHELUALE. Alìd, like two large lungs on opposite The mineralogic examination showed sides of the volcano: osse, os sa. = limestone, more or less crystalline, enlarge, augment , add , multiply- sometimes impure, due to the presence of qoe,os ( in dialect hoss) ar. = circle, ochre pigments2, or quartz. They were all round zone , delimited all around. Both rich in magnesium. If the materials of the hypothesis seem to give the same first group must be utilized on the high meaning. The first describes the plain, those of the other two groups could formation of the lava fields by be exported to the near and far east, after superposition of successive lava flows. The second refers to the horizontal 1 It is not obvious that there are no more surface configuration of the lava fields. deposits in this vast region. 2 The samples were gathered on the surface

33 Translation of Marini (1938)

the necessary preparations. In this manner quickly: a 10- to 20-centimeter-thick layer one could relieve the Apuana region [an of marine salt is left. This corresponds to a Italian region, where most of the marble is volume of 2,000,000 cubic meters, still mined], saving considerably in sufficient for the Italian population for transportation expense. over thirty years. Graphitic rock is found in the middle Since it is easy to allow in [the pond] of the course of the DERRAULE, south of more and pure1 sea water, one has a salt SALAMANTA-LAÈ, where it forms an mine that refills itself: one could attempt entire hill, and where it would be to refine the product, and utilize it in the appropriate to do more research. colony, and to export it to the orient.2 Copper minerals should be present. If one goes up the DERRAULE for one The chemical analysis gave the following kilometer from the BUIA wells, one will results: see on the right-hand side a fast affluent Total chlorine 63.9 % creek: the DADDEGÀ. In its detritus, sharp NaCl equiv. 100% (all because of the short run, one notices rocks salts are essentially chloride) of a nice green color. Going back Other elements present following the creek, half way to the Lime Abundant source, on the right hand side, one notices Magnesia Abundant a lenticular formation of malachite. This Sulfates Conspicuous formation is visible in the steep side which has been eroded, made of horizontal strata, In order to have some idea of the soil slightly arched. It was not easy to estimate quality in this region, I gathered in BURI a precisely the size of the formation sample of the common soil. Dr.Linari (approximately 7 x 1.5 meters). It would (formerly of the Regio Istituto Tecnico G. be useful to do more tests, and some Galilei) made an analysis, following the scouting of the surrounding area. As Schooling method, and obtained the decorative material, it could be added to following results: the marble of the southeast. Sandy materials 67.2% I took some samples of the rocks in the Clay-like 8.47% creek, which were analyzed by the Istituto Carbonates 10.21% di Chimica dell’Istituto Geografico Hygroscopic water 8.79% Militare. The results were: High temp. wt. loss 3.15% Copper carbonate, hydrate CuCO3 , Soluble substances 2.18%. Cu(OH)2 + H2O, copper metal content of 4.5% The fertilizing elements were measured approximately quantitatively (on the soil dried at 105° C), with the following results: Phosphoric anhydride, total (P2 O5) = Page 166 0.13% Total nitrogen Fig. 47. Perspective sketch of the copper =0.115% deposits along the creek DADDEGÀ, seen Potassium oxide ( K2O) from southwest. =0.2% This soil can be classified as medium In the center of the BURI peninsula, a loose, not sandy, and therefore well suited salt pond BARDÒLI (also called FIRÀHITO) for the cultivation of cereals. It is very rich is still in communication with the open sea, and close to the village of GRUTA. The pond is a triangle, almost 30 square 1 The creeks do not reach the sea directly, therefore kilometers, with a negative elevation of 2 the sea water has a marvelous transparency. 2 or 3 meters below sea level. Rain water is Fortunately the marble from GHELUALE and the collected in the pond, but it evaporates salt from FIRAHITO are close to the imbarcation point in different directions.

34 Translation of Marini (1938)

in phosphorous, in good conditions as far HUACHIL bay. This would bring many as nitrogen content, and it is superior to improvements: in the climate, the average of other soils in potassium. reforestation, various cultivation, fish Among the thermal waters which are farming... so many opportunities! See Fig. found in the colony, one could select those 20 and 28. which have the most useful therapeutic properties, and utilize Surveying

Page 167 A short note on the fundamental elements of the survey [are given below], Fig. 48. Sketch of the triangulation for the with particular attention to the Alìd area. survey. From the geodetic reference measured and established in 1896 in the GURA them both for local use and for export. As depression, and with the assistance of for plants, we could consider: another reference near MASSAUA, we Ebony , along the slopes of Alìd, close arrived at the volcano Alìd and to the to ALAT and other locations, should be coastal regions by a series of encouraged, and diffused. Castor plant triangulations. grows everywhere. One could attempt to grow cotton, close to the mouth of the major creeks. Rubber [the author probably Page 168 means solidified sap], [of a] beautiful opaline color, [is found] close to CURBELO The Cassini projection was adopted as and many other places. Marine algae could long as the survey was limited to the be utilized by industries. region near MASSAUA. Later, when the It is necessary to encourage boundary of the colony expanded to the reforestation, even if in limited zones only, west and south, the projection was to slow down the winds loaded with sand. replaced by one similar to the horizontal It should be done gradually, with a plan, gnomonic. The scale was established at the utilizing plant which are both local and 1:50,000, a compromise between the useful. 100,000 (limit of the topographic maps) The animal kingdom can provide: and the 1:25,000, which requires Excellent cattle at DACANO and in all significantly more time and investments. of BURI. One should encourage husbandry The contour interval is 50 meters, with and protect the animals from disease. The intermediate broken lines where slope same should be done with sheep and changes, sharp peaks or other details made camels. Wild boar, gazelles, hares, and it necessary. guinea fowl meats could be preserved. An accurate exploration of the volcano Ostriches were seen south of MÒRISSA region was particularly useful in along the coastal road: it would be useful establishing the order and the method to to raise them. Sea turtles are abundant, flat follow for the survey. It was decided to and rather large; the locals use them to record the geometric together with the decorate the tombs. Large sea shells are geognostic and toponomic. While the found in the eastern sea; they could be survey map was filling up with elevations used to make decorative vases; the warm and curves of equal elevation, a sea water is rich in fish, mother of pearl, transparent superimposed drawing was and pearl. I heard of talk of amber, coral, used to record the nature and composition sponges in ARÀFALI. Another possibility of the rocks, the angle of strata, the to revitalize this Eritrean region is to allow location of fissures and collected samples, the Red Sea waters to return in the BADDA etc. On another transparent page the depression; the most convenient (because location of watersheds, springs and names of a short path and low elevation) zone of localities directly from the local people would be from the SAMOTI plain, to the were recorded. Photography allowed a set

35 Translation of Marini (1938)

of panoramic images and details1. We recorded on a daily notebook all of the necessary data, profiles, planimetric sketches, useful to the knowledge of the area. The survey started from the two major reference points (Alìd and Ghersamo), to record the entire crown formed by the two major craters, pushing the measurements as far as possible along the slopes. After leaving the camp in the crater’s eastern plain, stations were established on prominent points (secondary volcanoes and incomplete cones) which are around the major volcano; these were excellent locations for the observation of the steep slopes of Alìd, and all the different features of the surrounding areas (small cones, lava flows, fissures, boccas, flat areas). The geometric survey, done at the same time as the geological description, is the best way [to proceed], because it allows the record of the geological map details without the need of returning to a particular spot, and does not need to repeat angular or length measurements, when particular features must be recorded on the map. The geodetic and topographic data and a sketch at a scale of 1:100,000 to locate them follow.

Angelo Marini

1 We gathered 77 pictures in the Alid region , and 49 more further north of the BURI peninsula, and perhaps as many pencil sketches.

36 Translation of Marini (1938)

pages 168-170 Major Datum Points were: Elevation (m.) M. ALÌD, most northern point of the crater rim 910.24 Lat. 14 degrees 53’ 20” , 34 Long. 0 degrees 27’ 27”, 14 ENDA ALÌD , top of the minor volcano, northeast of Alìd 457.05 M. GHERSAMO, on a spike out of the western side of Alìd 684.75 AMBÀBAT, on top of a small hill on the noth west foot of Alìd 291.09 FAFEIÁ GARÓ, on the edge of a crater in the southeast plain of Alìd 145.91 Secondary Datum Points or Major Topographic Stations

DIBEARÀ, in the center eastern [area] of Alìd 625 m. M.GADAHELÌ, on top of the most developed volcano east of Alìd 358.7 m. DATTICUBÒ, on top of a small volcano southeast of Alìd 125.7 m. ARGUDDÒ, on an alluvial terrace west of Alìd 191 m. ASSAGOLÒ, southwest on top of an alluvial relic 189 m. Topographic Relay Stations

ADO HOLLI AF, bottom of the buttress to the east of Alìd 305.6 m. BAREIRÀ , on top of tuff heights to the west of Alìd 241 m. CUAHATÒ, on top of the mountain surging from the western slope of Alìd 626 m. DARARÈ, in the eastern crater of Alìd, between Ertacale and the small terminal crater 591 m. EDAERALÌ on top of the highest spot of the southern crater edge 695.4 m. FILLADED on the highest spot of the crater’s crown, in the west 743 m. MAHALÒ, on the highest edge of the volcano’s external plain, to the north 693 m. MAUIL AMÒ on the external slope of Alìd, to the south 352 m. OSS,on the northeastern edge of the southeast Lava Field 88 m. UETEN GARÒ, on top of the highest crater of the small volcano to the south of Alìd 229 m. UGUEALÌ, on a peak of the southern crater edge of Alìd 682 m. Sides of the auxiliary triangulation

from ∆ M. Alìdto ∆ Enda Alìd 2024 m. “ M. Alìd " M. Ghersamo 3993 m. from ∆ M. Alìd to O Adò Holli Af 1995 m. “ to O Dibearà 2306 m. “ to O Dararè 1746 m. “ to O Mahalò 1607 m. from ∆ Enda Alìd to O Gadaheli 2431 m. “ to O Adò Holli Af 1877 m.

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from ∆ Fafeià Garò to O Oss 1754 m.

“ to O Ueten Garò 2806 m. “ to O Manil Amò 2077 m. “ to O Uguealì 1936 m. “ to O Dibeará 2037 m.

from ∆ M. Ghersamo to O Filladed 1152 m. “ to O Edaeralì 1576 m. “ to O Mauil Amò 2080 m. “ to O Ueten Garò 2685 m. “ to O Arguddó 2636 m. “ to O Bareirà 2038 m. “ to O Cuahatò 1078 m.

from ∆ Ambàbat to O Mahalò 2743 m. “ to O Cuahatò 1195 m. “ to O Assagolò 2042 m.

Sides of the connecting triangulation

from O Mahalò to O Dararè 1532 m. “ “ Filladed 1798 m. “ “ Cuahatò 2648 m.

from O Dararè to O Dibearà 1779 m. “ “ Uguealì 1405 m. “ “ Edaeralì 1037 m. “ “ Filladed 1460 m.

from O Dibearà to O Ado Holli Af 1941 m. “ “ Oss 2518 m. “ “ Uguealì 1306 m.

from O Ado Holli Af to O M.Gadahelì 1580 m. “ “ Datticubò 2856 m. “ “ Oss 3302 m.

from O Gadahelì to O Datticubò 2135 m.

from O Datticubò to O Oss 2149 m.

from O Uguealì to O Mauil Amò 1354 m. “ “ Edaeralì 958 m.

from O Edaeralì to O Mauil Amò 1552 m. “ “ Filladed 1280 m.

from O Mauil Amò to O Ueten Garò 1354 m.

38 Translation of Marini (1938)

from O Arguddò to O Ueten Garò 2458 m. “ “ Bareirà 1496 m. from O Assagolò to O Cuahatò 2243 m. “ “ Bareirà 1666 m. from O Cuahato to O Filladed 1170 m. “ “ Bareirà 2075 m.

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