Ethiopian Volcano Erupts for First Time in 12,000 Years

A long-dormant volcano in northern Ethiopia has dramatically awakened, producing impressive ash plumes that have traversed vast distances, impacting not only local communities in the Afar region but also drawing attention from monitoring agencies in neighboring countries. The eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano, remarkable for occurring after 12,000 years of dormancy, has sparked interest from scientists and officials alike, illustrating the dynamic geological processes that characterize the East African Rift.

A long-dormant volcano in northern Ethiopia has erupted, sending plumes of ash across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in the Afar region approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) northeast of Addis Ababa, erupted for several hours on Sunday morning, covering the nearby village of Afdera in ash.

Despite the stunning display of natural power, there were no reported casualties from the eruption. However, ash clouds rose to heights of up to 14 kilometers (nine miles), drifting as far as Yemen, Oman, India, and northern Pakistan. This alarming event has drawn attention from the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in France, which is closely monitoring the situation.

Local resident Ahmed Abdela described the eruption’s impact, stating it “felt like a sudden bomb had been thrown.” Many visitors expecting to reach the nearby Danakil desert, a popular tourist destination known for its otherworldly landscapes, found themselves stranded in the ash-covered town of Afdera.

Additionally, Mohammed Seid, a local administrative leader, confirmed that, while there have been no human or livestock casualties reported, the volcano’s eruption could pose economic challenges to local livestock herders, whose livelihoods may be affected due to the contamination of grazing areas. Trees and vegetation in affected villages have been buried under layers of ash, resulting in reduced food for livestock, which are essential to the community’s economy.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano, which rises about 500 meters in elevation, is located within the Rift Valley—a region noted for intense geological activity as two tectonic plates converge. According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, Hayli Gubbi had not experienced any known eruptions during the current geological epoch known as the Holocene, which began around 12,000 years ago following the last Ice Age.

Authorities in Afar continue to monitor the situation closely to assess the ongoing impact and to provide support for those affected by the eruption.

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