Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts for First Time in Recorded History
Ethiopia’s Afar region has experienced a rare geological event as the long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted for the first time in recorded history. The eruption, which took place early Sunday around 8:30 a.m. UTC, ended a silence believed to have lasted nearly 10,000 years. Experts confirm that Hayli Gubbi, the southernmost volcano in the Erta Ale range, had shown no signs of activity for millennia before this sudden awakening.
According to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), the explosive eruption sent towering plumes of ash rising up to 14 kilometers (45,000 feet) into the atmosphere. Along with ash, significant amounts of sulfur dioxide were released, prompting international monitoring due to potential impacts on air quality and aviation routes.
VAAC reports indicate that the eruption has now subsided. However, satellite observations show lower-level ash drifting across the Red Sea toward Oman, Djibouti, and Yemen, triggering precautionary alerts for regional flights. Meanwhile, upper-level ash is expected to travel much farther, potentially affecting parts of Pakistan, Iran, and India as it disperses.
Hayli Gubbi sits in the southeastern section of the Erta Ale volcanic range, within the geologically active Afar Rift—an area known for frequent tectonic activity and volcanic unrest. Yet despite this background of activity, Hayli Gubbi itself had remained dormant for thousands of years, making Sunday’s eruption a historic and scientifically significant event.
As of the latest reports, no damage to surrounding communities or disruptions to flights have been confirmed. Scientists continue to monitor the volcano closely, noting that while the immediate eruption has ceased, residual activity and shifting ash patterns may still pose temporary risks.