Scientists from Purdue University and Lamont-Doherty Observatory in the U.S., Oxford University and Royal Holloway University in the U.K., and the University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia have installed 10 continuous GPS stations to better understand deformation related to a major diking event in the Afar region of Ethiopia. This region has experienced increased seismicity and an explosive fissural volcanic eruption in September 2005. Preliminary results indicate a resulting intrusion of an approximately 60 km long dyke and up to 8 meter opening. This geodetic network will provide an unprecedented opportunity to directly observe and quantify diking and post-diking processes related to continental spreading. Equipment and essential technical support was provided by the UNAVCO Facility. More information can be found here on the PI's web site. More information about the Dabbahu volcano eruption.