Relief, Climate, People, Languages, Toponymy and Exploration History

Abstract

Afar is a depressed area, lying at negative or low altitude, surrounded by the high Nubian. Somalian and Arabian plateaus. As a result, the region is characterized by a very dry climate, with only very rare rainfalls and elevated temperatures. Desert conditions therefore prevail, except in the few areas benefitting from the watershed issued from the Nubian plateau, as in the case of the Awash-Mille river basin in south-western Afar. In large parts of Afar, surface water is lacking, as well as drinkable groundwater, this resulting from the numerous normal faults and open fissures that lower the water table. The high geothermal heat lower flow generates convective systems and the solution for concerned communities is to rely upon hot-springs or to condensate the steam from the fumaroles. The Afar population, spread over NE Ethiopia, Southern Eritrea and NW Djibouti Republic, reach a total number of 2 million people, sharing the same language and culture. It shows a remarkable adaptation to the natural conditions prevailing in this desert. The Afar vocabulary, which describes their surrounding natural environment allows to locate the most significant geological features, as fumaroles, springs or rock types and active volcanoes. The geological exploration of Afar was initiated in the 19th century, but it is only in the years 1967-1976 that a systematic study could be engaged, with detailed mapping of the whole region from the Red Sea coast to the Ethiopian escarpments. New geoscientific studies were later engaged following the major volcanotectonic events of Asal – Ardoukoba (1978) and Manda Harraro (2005-2010) with the involvement of various international teams. As new events are occurring (as f.i. the South Erta Ale eruption which started in 2017) and will occur in the future. Afar will remain for long a privileged sites for geological studies of active rifting processes.