The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia has erupted for the first time in 12,000 years, releasing towering ash plumes that drifted across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman. The unexpected eruption, which began late on Monday, has drawn significant regional attention as authorities assess the risks to aviation, public health and nearby communities.
A dormant volcano awakens after millennia
Located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, the Hayli Gubbi volcano is part of the geologically active East African Rift system. Despite the region’s known seismic volatility, the volcano itself had shown minimal activity in modern historical records.
Researchers said early signs of unrest were detected only days before the eruption, making the event both surprising and scientifically significant. The sudden reactivation of a volcano long considered dormant raises new questions about evolving tectonic stresses within the rift.
Ash plumes spread across the Red Sea
Satellite imagery confirmed that ash clouds from the eruption travelled west to east, carried by prevailing winds across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman.
Authorities in both countries issued advisories for sensitive groups, warning that fine ash particles could affect air quality in coastal regions. Aviation officials across the Arabian Peninsula also initiated precautionary flight-route adjustments to avoid contaminated airspace.
Local impact under close assessment
Ethiopian authorities reported no immediate casualties but confirmed that remote communities near the volcano had been advised to remain indoors as ashfall was recorded in several settlements.
Emergency teams and geological experts have been deployed to monitor lava flows, gas emissions and potential secondary hazards. Roads in parts of Afar were temporarily closed to ensure public safety while the extent of environmental impact is assessed.
Scientific interest intensifies
Volcanologists described the eruption as a rare opportunity to study a reawakening volcano within one of the world’s most dynamic tectonic zones. The East African Rift, where the African continent is slowly splitting, has long been a focal point for research into volcanic and seismic evolution.
Early analyses suggest that deep magma movement may have been underway far longer than previously understood, indicating the possibility of additional activity in the region.
Regional coordination expands as situation evolves
Authorities in Ethiopia, Yemen and Oman are coordinating with international volcanic monitoring agencies to track ash dispersion and assess the ongoing eruption.
While the event has caused disruption and raised concerns, experts emphasise that early detection, careful monitoring and swift public guidance have helped mitigate risk.
Newshub Editorial in Africa – 2025-11-25
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