The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on 23 November, marking its first known volcanic activity in almost 12,000 years. The long-dormant volcano expelled towering ash clouds that reached up to 14 kilometres into the atmosphere, triggering aviation alerts and heightened monitoring across the Horn of Africa.
A Rare Eruption After the Holocene Dormancy
Situated around 800 km northeast of Addis Ababa near the Eritrean border, Hayli Gubbi volcano lies in the highly seismic East African Rift Valley, one of the world’s most geologically active zones.
Experts confirmed that the volcano had no record of any eruption during the Holocene period, making this event geologically exceptional.
The eruption lasted for several hours, producing dark ash plumes and intense ground activity visible from surrounding settlements.
Ash Drifts Across Regions in Africa and Asia
Winds carried volcanic ash beyond Ethiopia, impacting airspace over Yemen, Oman, India and northern Pakistan.
The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) issued alerts for aviation safety, describing dense ash clouds spreading far beyond the Afar region. People living in nearby Ethiopian villages reported heavy ash fall, though official updates on displacement or casualties are awaited.
Scientific Verification and Global Monitoring
Volcanologists worldwide have verified the significance of the event.
Researchers including Simon Carn of Michigan Technological University confirmed that Hayli Gubbi had remained inactive for millennia.
The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program also reaffirmed that no Holocene-period eruption had been previously documented.
The activity highlights renewed volcanic dynamics in the Afar Depression, where tectonic plates constantly diverge.
Exam-Oriented Facts
- Hayli Gubbi erupted on 23 November 2025 after nearly 12,000 years of dormancy.
- Ash clouds reached 14 km into the stratosphere.
- Ash drift was detected across Yemen, Oman, India and northern Pakistan.
- Located in Ethiopia’s Afar Rift Valley, one of the world’s most tectonically active regions.
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