A long-dormant volcano in northeastern Ethiopia erupted this week for the first time in approximately 12,000 years, sending towering plumes of ash and smoke into the sky and across several neighboring countries. The eruption occurred at Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region near the border with Eritrea, an area known for its geological instability.
The unexpected eruption began on Sunday and continued for several hours. Local reports indicate the ash cloud reached nearly 9 miles into the atmosphere. Ash from the eruption was carried across the Red Sea by strong winds, spreading as far as Yemen, Oman, northern India, and parts of Pakistan, according to the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.
Although the Afar region frequently experiences tectonic movement due to its position along the East African Rift — where two continental plates are slowly pulling apart — this particular volcano had remained silent throughout human history. Experts had identified it as dormant, but it had not shown visible signs of activity in thousands of years.
Impact on communities and local livelihoods
So far, there have been no confirmed injuries or deaths from the eruption, according to local officials. However, concerns are growing over the effects of volcanic ash on surrounding villages. Communities that rely heavily on livestock grazing are facing challenges as thick ash has covered pastures, reducing access to clean food and water for animals.
Mohammed Seid, a regional administrator, expressed concern about the long-term impact on daily life. He noted that this eruption has introduced a new level of uncertainty, especially because no previous activity from the volcano has ever been documented.
The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program confirmed that Hayli Gubbi had shown no eruptions during the Holocene period — which began roughly 12,000 years ago. That conclusion is echoed by researchers such as volcanologist Simon Carn of Michigan Technological University, who verified that there are no historical records of activity at the site.
Residents describe shock and fear
Those living near the volcano say they were caught off guard. Ahmed Abdela, a resident in the area, recalled hearing a loud explosion followed by a powerful tremor. It felt like a bomb went off, he said, describing the scene as thick clouds of smoke quickly filled the sky.
Videos shared across social media platforms appeared to capture large plumes of white smoke rising from the volcano. Though the footage has not been officially verified, it has drawn widespread attention online.
Emergency teams are monitoring the situation, and environmental experts are continuing to assess the full impact. With volcanic activity rare in the region — and virtually no modern precedent for Hayli Gubbi — the eruption has sparked renewed interest in Ethiopia’s seismic landscape and the challenges it may pose in the future.