A significant volcanic eruption occurred at the Hayli Gubbi volcano in northeastern Ethiopia, producing a substantial ash plume that extended towards Yemen and Oman. This marks a rare incident, as no eruptions from the volcano have been recorded for the past 10,000 years.
The eruption commenced around 8:30 a.m. UTC on Sunday, as reported by the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC). The explosive activity persisted throughout the afternoon, propelling ash to an impressive altitude of approximately 45,000 feet (13.7 km). However, by the latest advisory, it was indicated that the eruption has since ceased.
Earlier that day, GeologyHub, an independent monitoring organization, alerted the VAAC after detecting the rapidly expanding ash plume, prompting further confirmation from officials. The VAAC subsequently released maps showing that lower-level ash was drifting towards Djibouti and Yemen, while higher-altitude ash was forecast to spread eastward over Oman and into the Arabian Sea. Additionally, some upper-level ash is expected to move further northeast, possibly affecting regions in Iran, Pakistan, and India.
Located southeast of the Erta Ale volcanic range in the Afar Rift—one of East Africa’s most volcanically active zones—Hayli Gubbi has historically not shown signs of eruption during the Holocene. Despite the surrounding volcanic activity, volcanologist Simon Carn noted the lack of prior evidence for eruptions from Hayli Gubbi.
At present, there have been no confirmed repercussions for aviation or nearby communities. The VAAC in Toulouse has committed to providing further updates as new information becomes available. This eruptive event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of volcanic activity, even in regions thought to have been stable for millennia.