It has a summit elevation of 1,745 m (5,725 ft) and lies between two large horsts related to the East African Rift.

[1] Ma Alalta is trachytic and rhyolitic in composition, containing nested oval-shaped calderas at its summit.

Extending northeast and southeast of the stratovolcano are ignimbrite deposits that may be related to the formation of a larger caldera in which Ma Alalta is located.

[1] The northwestern, southeastern and eastern flanks of Ma Alalta have produced youthful basaltic lava flows whereas the southern flank has produced recent pantelleritic obsidian domes and lava flows.

This article about a location in the Afar Region of Ethiopia is a stub.