The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on November 23, marking its first known activity in nearly 12,000 years. The unexpected eruption sent massive ash plumes soaring up to 14 kilometres into the atmosphere, prompting alerts from regional monitoring centres and aviation authorities.
First Known Activity Since the Holocene
Situated about 800 kilometres northeast of Addis Ababa near the Eritrean border, the volcano lies within the tectonically active Rift Valley. Experts confirmed that Hayli Gubbi showed no record of eruptive activity throughout the Holocene, making the 2025 eruption an exceptionally rare geological event. The eruption lasted several hours and produced dense ash clouds visible over long distances.
Ash Spreads Across Multiple Countries
According to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, the ash plume drifted across Yemen, Oman, India and northern Pakistan. Satellite imagery captured towering ash columns rising from the crater, while residents in nearby Ethiopian villages reported substantial ash fall. Authorities are yet to release information on casualties or displacement.
Global Scientific Monitoring
Volcanologists, including Simon Carn of Michigan Technological University, confirmed that the volcano had been dormant for millennia. The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program also reaffirmed the absence of any Holocene eruptions. The renewed activity underscores the dynamic geological nature of the Afar region, home to several active volcanic systems.
Regional Impact and Ongoing Assessment
Authorities continue to track ash dispersion and monitor risks to local communities and aviation routes. Flight paths across parts of West Asia and South Asia are under review, with additional advisories expected as scientific teams assess the full scope of the eruption.
Key Facts
Ash Drift: Yemen, Oman, India, northern Pakistan
Eruption Date: 23 November 2025
Dormancy Period: Nearly 12,000 years
Ash Height: Up to 14 km
Location: Afar region, within the Rift Valley