Evidence of active magmatic rifting at the Ma’Alalta volcanic field (Afar, Ethiopia)

Abstract During continental rifting, strain and magmatism are believed to localize narrow magmatic segments, while the rift margin is progressively abandoned. We integrate volcanological, geochemical, petrological seismic data from Ma’Alalta volcanic field (MVF) near western of Afar, show that MVF an active segment. Magmatism in initiated with lava flows large-volume, caldera-forming ignimbrites a central edifice. However, most recent activity shifted towards mafic fields, cinder cones obsidian-rich silicic domes erupted vents aligned NNW-SSE, defining ~ 35-km-long Along same area, NNW-SSE alignment earthquakes was recorded by two local networks (2005–2009 2011–2013). The geochemistry rocks similar those nearby axial volcanoes. Inferred magma storage depth mineral geobarometry shows shallow, chamber existed at 5-km below stratovolcano, stacked plumbing system least three levels between 9 24 km fed basalts. interpret wide set observations as evidence area segment, showing localised extension can be heavily offset margin.