An alternative strategy for forecasting volcanism in Ethiopia: lessons from precursory phenomena to 2005 eruptions in Afar

A substantial part of Ethiopia's surface is covered by volcanic rocks ranging in age from 30 Ma to the present day though a significant volume of volcanic rocks as old as 45 Ma are also found in southern part of the country. These volcanic rocks have yielded fertile soils, which are the richest farmlands in Ethiopia. The volcanic terrains provide magnificent landscapes, which are a natural sanctuary of the country. Ethiopia is a country prone to volcanic eruptions. Yet the actual eruptive processes are catastrophic and can claim life and property. This paper documents the activity that preceded the 2005 eruptions in Afar and discusses them as potential volcanic forecast tools that can serve to raise public awareness of the volcanism

Comparison of Woody Species Diversity and Soil Organic Carbon in Coffee-Based Forests and Natural Forests in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the origin of coffee arabica, which grows in moist Afromontane forests. Today, the expansion of coffee production to adjacent natural forests is high. The current study aims to compare species diversity, richness, regeneration, and soil physico-chemical properties of forests without and with coffee for conservation. A result showed that Forests without coffee have better mean species richness (45.86), Shannon wiener diversity index (2.69), Evenness (0.85), and Simpson (2.94) than forests with coffee. Forests without coffee had a higher percentage of soil carbon storage (mean 147.18) than forests with coffee (Mean 120.25). Forests without coffee are better for all comparisons. Documentation of woody species will be required for both systems for immediate conservation

Effusive Badi Silicic Volcano (Central Afar, Ethiopian Rift); Sparse Evidence for Pyroclastic Rocks

We report field observation, textural description (thin section and scanning electron microscope (SEM)) and mineral chemistry (backscattered electron imaging and dispersive X-ray analysis) for rhyolitic obsidian lavas from previously under described effusive Badi volcano, central Afar within the Ethiopian rift. These rhyolitic obsidian lavas are compositionally homogeneous and contain well developed flow bands. Textural analysis is undertaken to understand the formation of flow band, and to draw inferences on the mechanism of emplacement of this silicic volcano. Flow band arises from variable vesicularity (i.e., alternating domains of vesicular, light glass and non-vesicular, brown glass). Such textural heterogeneities have been developed during distinct cooling and degassing of the melt in the conduit

Intrusive equivalents of flood volcanics: evidence from petrology of xenoliths in Quaternary Tana basanites

The Injibara Quaternary basanites enclose a variety of xenoliths spanning in composition from peridotite through pyroxenite and gabbro to granite. This study focuses on the pyroxenite, gabbro and granite xenoliths. The pyroxenite xenoliths (enstatite + diopside + olivine ± spinel ± plagioclase ± ilmenite ± paragasite) are diverse, including olivine-orthopyroxenite, olivine-clinopyroxenite and websterite. They represent a suite of crystal cumulates from basalts with tholeiitic affinity evolving by polybaric crystal fractionation processes, or alternatively they may be related to chemical diversification of parental magma. The gabbro xenoliths, containing widely varying modal proportions of plagioclase, augite, enstatite, olivine and ilmenite, appear to be fragments of cumulate plutonic rocks, fractionated from tholeiitic basalts at high-level. They often show reaction textures, with a vermicular intergrowth of smaller augite, plagioclase and a chemically complex opaque phase composition embedded in glass from orthopyroxene. The granitic xenoliths contain quartz and two distinct feldspars–a sodic plagioclase and a potassic alkali feldspar– coprecipitated from the melt; accompanying mafic minerals are hydrous biotite and muscovite. This suggests that such granite magmas crystallized under water-saturated condition (PH2O = 5 kbar). Keywords/phrases: Cumulate, Ethiopia, Injibara, tholeiitc basalt, xenolith SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol.26(2) 2003: 93-10

Pulmonary Function Tests and Their Associated Factors Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients At Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, 2019: Comparative Cross Sectional Study

Background: Impairments of lung function due to type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) have been less addressed in our country even though they have a marked impact on life of people and may lead to morbidity and mortality. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and identify their associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients at Jimma Medical Center (JMC), Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, 2019. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at JMC, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia among 298 study participants from 01, April to 30, May, 2019. A face to face interview with semistructured questionnaire was conducted. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), ratio of FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory flow (FEF25 -75) were recorded by using digital Spirometer. The Collected data were analysed by using SPSS version 23. Independent samples t test, simple and multiple linear regression analysis were used. Results: Out of the total of 298 sample size, 145 type 2 diabetics and 145 non-diabetic subjects participated in this study with the overall response rate of 97.3%. The present study indicated that means of the PFTs among type 2 diabetics were significantly reduced when compared to their matched non-diabetics (FVC(%) (m =73.7 ± 13.8 vs m=93.8 ± 12.3), FEV1 (%) (m =76.4 ± 13.4 vs m=93.3±12.4 ), FEV1/FVC (%) (m =78.99 ± 11.4 vs m=96.6 ± 9.33), PEF (L/s) (m = 3.91±0.28 vs m=5.03 ± 0.35 ), and FEF25-75 (L/s) (m =2.89 ± 0.75 vs m=3.39 ± 0.82 )). This study also indicated that body mass index (BMI) (β = -1.93, p<0.001) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) (β = -0.22, p<0.001) were negative predictors of FVC%. BMI (β = -1.93, p<0.001) and FBS (β = -0.29, p<0.001) were negative predictors of FEV1%. BMI were (β = -1.403, p<0.001) was negative predictor of mean FEV1/FVC. BMI (β = -1.39 p<0.001) and FBS (β =-0.15, p<0.001) were negative predictors of mean of PEF(L/s). BMI (β = -0.075, p<0.001) and FBS (β = -0.075, p<0.001) were negative predictors of FEF25-75 (L/s) Conclusion: Compared to the non-diabetic participants, type 2 diabetics had signicantly reduced the PFTs. BMI and FBS were independent risk factors of the PFTs among the diabetic patients

Eruption style and dynamics of the ~ 87 ka Baricha peralkaline rhyolite eruption in Ethiopia

Peralkaline rhyolites are a rare magma type, typically associated with continental rift settings, and characterised by excess alkalis relative to alumina and a moderate-low viscosity compared to calc-alkaline equivalents. Despite their prevalence in extensional rift settings, such as the Main Ethiopian Rift, eruption dynamics of peralkaline magmas are poorly understood and have never been directly observed. To address the knowledge gap, this study investigates the style and dynamics of the ~ 87 ka explosive eruption at Baricha volcano as a case study. This eruption deposited widespread pumice lapilli fall and pyroclastic density currents, which provide valuable information on pre- and syn-eruptive magmatic processes. By examining the physical and textural features of the eruption products at different stratigraphic levels, we reconstruct eruption dynamics over time. Our analysis reveals that the eruption had three distinct phases, each characterised by different types of tephra fall deposits and associated with different plume and vent conditions. Specifically, deposits of phases 1 and 3 were characterised by massive and well-sorted tephra falls indicative of sustained plume behaviour, while phase 2 deposits were bedded, lithic-rich (i.e. non-juvenile fragments) tephra falls, and pyroclastic density current deposit associated with an unsteady plume and vent-widening phase. The pumice (8–16 mm size fraction) from this eruption is microlite-free, with a bulk density of 400–700 kg m−3 and > 60% total vesicularity. The vesicle size distribution is polymodal, with the most frequent size ranging from 0.001 to 2.4 mm and an estimated vesicle number density of 0.07*107 to 1.6*107 mm−3. The textural observations suggest rapid nucleation occurred during the late phases of magma ascent. Calculated decompression rates of the ascending magma were 0.07–5.6 MPa/s and show a variation between the eruption phases. We conclude that the shift in eruption dynamics alternating between steady to unsteady plume behaviour during the eruption was likely driven by changes in conduit geometry, lithic abundance of the eruptive mixture, decompression rate, and fresh magma injection

The Big Catch-up: Addressing Zero-Dose Children as a Surrogate of Vaccination Disruptions During Public Health Emergencies

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted global immunization programs, resulting in a sharp increase in the number of zero-dose children-those who have not received any vaccinations. This disruption poses a critical threat to public health, exacerbating the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. This paper investigates the pandemic's impact on routine childhood immunization, with a particular focus on zero-dose children. Through a comprehensive review of data from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and key informant interviews, we highlight evidence-based interventions aligned with the strategic framework of the Zero Dose Guidelines. Our findings emphasize the importance of context-specific approaches, particularly in vulnerable settings such as urban slums, remote rural areas, and conflict zones. We identified key thematic areas for intervention: community engagement, health systems strengthening, and technological innovations. These strategies are critical for reaching zero-dose children and rebuilding resilient immunization systems. However, gaps remain in the evidence surrounding the long-term effectiveness and cost-efficiency of these interventions, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study underscores the urgency of addressing the growing number of zero-dose children through coordinated global efforts like "The Big Catch-Up" campaign, which aims to recover and strengthen immunization coverage worldwide. By focusing on equity, innovation, and tailored strategies, we can mitigate the pandemic’s long-term effects and ensure that no child is left unprotected

The Big Catch-up: Addressing Zero-Dose Children as a Surrogate of Vaccination Disruptions During Public Health Emergencies: A review of literature

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an unprecedented backslide in global immunization programs, increasing the number of zero-dose children-those who have not received any vaccinations—from 13.3 million in 2019 to 18.1 million in 2021. This surge poses a significant threat to public health, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where healthcare systems are already fragile. This scoping review focused on the impact of the pandemic on childhood immunization, with a focus on zero-dose children, and to identify effective interventions for rebuilding resilient immunization systems. Data from WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi were comprehensively reviewed. The IRMMA (Identify, Reach, Monitor, Measure, Advocate) framework was used to structure the analysis of evidence-based interventions across diverse settings. Consolidated findings show that in 2022, 20.5 million children missed one or more vaccines, with 14.3 million classified as zero-dose children. Despite improvements from 2021, these numbers remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. Countries such as Nigeria (2.3 million zero-dose children), India (1.1 million), and Ethiopia (1.1 million) are most affected. Our review highlights the importance of strengthening health systems and leveraging innovative strategies such as drone delivery and digital health platforms for reaching zero-dose children. To ensure sustainability, policy interventions must focus on integrating immunization efforts into national healthcare frameworks. This includes prioritizing workforce development, enhancing supply chain management, and fostering partnerships with community leaders to rebuild trust and address vaccine hesitancy. Specific interventions, such as deploying mobile vaccination units, implementing culturally tailored health messaging, and utilizing real-time monitoring technologies, are recommended to target under-reached populations. The pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities in immunization systems but coordinated global efforts, like the "Big Catch-Up" campaign, offer a pathway to recovery and long-term sustainability. This scoping review underscores the urgent need for robust, context-specific policies and targeted interventions to bridge the immunization gap and protect vulnerable populations from vaccine-preventable diseases

The Big Catch-up: Addressing Zero-Dose Children as a Surrogate of Vaccination Disruptions During Public Health Emergencies

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted global immunization programs, resulting in a sharp increase in the number of zero-dose children-those who have not received any vaccinations. This disruption poses a critical threat to public health, exacerbating the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. This paper investigates the pandemic's impact on routine childhood immunization, with a particular focus on zero-dose children. Through a comprehensive review of data from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and key informant interviews, we highlight evidence-based interventions aligned with the strategic framework of the Zero Dose Guidelines. Our findings emphasize the importance of context-specific approaches, particularly in vulnerable settings such as urban slums, remote rural areas, and conflict zones. We identified key thematic areas for intervention: community engagement, health systems strengthening, and technological innovations. These strategies are critical for reaching zero-dose children and rebuilding resilient immunization systems. However, gaps remain in the evidence surrounding the long-term effectiveness and cost-efficiency of these interventions, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study underscores the urgency of addressing the growing number of zero-dose children through coordinated global efforts like "The Big Catch-Up" campaign, which aims to recover and strengthen immunization coverage worldwide. By focusing on equity, innovation, and tailored strategies, we can mitigate the pandemic’s long-term effects and ensure that no child is left unprotected

Structural controls on magma pathways in Bora-Baricha-Tullu Moye (BBTM) volcanic system, Main Ethiopian Rift

The Bora-Baricha-Tullu Moye (BBTM) volcanic complex is located at a transitional zone in the Main Ethiopian Rift where tectonic and volcanic features show complex interplays. We mapped and characterised volcanic and tectonic features using high-resolution digital elevation models and performed morphometric and vent spatial distribution analyses. Structural analysis reveals NNE–SSW, NE–SW, and NW–SE trending faults in the region. The dominant post-caldera volcanic landforms are lava domes, pumice cones, scoria cones, maars, obsidian coulees and lava flows, which have distinct morphological characteristics. Vent elongation and alignment highlight close association between these landforms and the caldera(s) as well as with tectonic structures, suggesting these structures acted as the main magma pathways during the BBTM recent eruptions. We estimate that during the entire BBTM post-caldera phase a total bulk volume of 10.9 km3 of material was erupted. This would represent a time-averaged magma flux of 0.05 km3 ky-1 in the BBTM