Rare Eruption at Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Sends Ash 14 km Into Atmosphere

Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts After 12 Millennia

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on 23 November 2025 , marking its first known activity in nearly 12,000 years . The rare eruption generated massive ash plumes that shot up to 14 kilometres , triggering international airspace alerts and drawing global scientific attention due to the volcano’s long dormancy.

A Rare Geological Event in the Rift Valley

Situated nearly 800 km northeast of Addis Ababa and close to the Eritrean border, Hayli Gubbi lies within the tectonically active East African Rift System . Researchers confirmed that no eruptive activity had been recorded throughout the Holocene period , making this event exceptionally significant. The eruption lasted several hours, ejecting dense ash columns visible across the region.

Ash Clouds Spread Across Continents

The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre detected ash drifting across multiple countries, including Yemen, Oman, India and northern Pakistan. Satellite observations showed high-reaching plumes dispersing rapidly due to upper-level winds. Local communities in Ethiopia’s Afar zone reported thick ash fall, although official data on displacement or damage is still awaited.

Scientific Verification and Global Response

Volcanologists such as Simon Carn and the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program verified that the volcano had remained inactive for millennia. The sudden eruption underscores the unpredictable nature of the Rift Valley’s geological systems, prompting heightened monitoring of seismic and volcanic activity in the region.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Hayli Gubbi erupted on 23 November 2025 after ~12,000 years of inactivity.

• Ash plumes rose up to 14 km into the atmosphere.

• Located in Ethiopia’s Afar region within the East African Rift Valley.

• Ash drift affected Yemen, Oman, India and northern Pakistan .