Why are Ethiopia's Western Highlands rugged and elevated?

The Western Highlands of Ethiopia are rugged and elevated primarily due to a combination of tectonic and volcanic processes that have shaped the region over millions of years.12

The high elevation of the Ethiopian Plateau is largely the result of thermal expansion of the lithosphere. This occurred when hot material from the underlying asthenosphere upwelled, causing the surface to rise.2

This uplifted landscape was further transformed by extensive volcanism during the Cenozoic Era. Massive lava flows created thick basaltic layers—ranging from 1,000 to nearly 10,000 feet in depth—that cover much of the country's surface. The rugged nature of the Western Highlands is particularly pronounced in the North Central massifs, where deep river channels, such as those of the Blue Nile and Tekeze, have carved into the plateau, creating dramatic relief that contrasts sharply with the surrounding lowlands.1