Afar Triangle

The Afar Triangle is a region located in northeastern Ethiopia, southeastern Eritrea, and Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa. This area is part of the larger East African Rift System, a significant geological feature characterized by tectonic activity and volcanism. The Afar people, who inhabit this region, are known for their nomadic pastoral lifestyle, relying on livestock such as goats and camels. They also mine and export salt.123

The topography of Ethiopia, within which the Afar Triangle is situated, is rugged and diverse. It includes highlands, lowlands, and the Rift Valley itself. The Rift Valley is a graben, or tectonic trough, that runs through the country. Within the Afar region, specifically the Denakil Plain, elevations can drop significantly below sea level, reaching as low as 380 feet (116 meters) below sea level. This area experiences high temperatures and lacks moisture, making it generally unattractive for settlement. The region is geologically active, with volcanic cones, some of which are active, dotting the landscape.14