Geology of the Corbetti Caldera area (Main Ethiopian Rift Valley)

The Corbetti Caldera area, a recent volcanic complex in the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley, is described. In the area, most of the volcanic products are peralkaline pyroclastics (ignimbrites and pumice). The volcanological history of this complex has been reconstructed. It comprises fissure eruptions, which were followed by a volcano-tectonic collapse. Finally the activity resumed with the birth of two recent peralkaline volcanoes (Urji and Chabbi) inside the caidera. Both these volcanoes are at present in a fumarolic stage. Relations between the tectonic of the Rift Valley and the volcanological evolution of the Caldera Corbetti Area are discussed.