The volcano is one of the largest in Ethiopia and is located, along with its close neighbor Adwa (volcano), in a major right step of the linear chain of volcanoes and fissures along the middle of the East African rift. Due to the location of the volcano near the boundary between Afar and Issa tribes, little is known about its past and present behavior. However, an earthquake and InSAR study conducted by Derek Keir and colleagues shows that a magma intrusion around 5 km deep and 8 km long emanated away from the volcano and intruded near the eastern side of neighboring Adwa (volcano) in May 2000.