Image: from The Hindu X@the_hindu
By Lucas Reid | Staff Writer with Agencies
A volcano in northeastern Ethiopia has erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending thick plumes of smoke and ash into the atmosphere, marking a dramatic return to activity after millennia of dormancy. The eruption occurred on Sunday at the Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in the Afar region, about 800 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa, near the border with Eritrea.
According to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), the eruption sent ash clouds soaring as high as 14 kilometers into the sky. These ash clouds drifted across vast areas, including Yemen, Oman, northern India, and Pakistan. The eruption lasted for several hours, with significant volcanic activity observed, including the emission of thick white smoke visible in videos shared on social media.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano is situated within the East African Rift Valley, a region known for its intense geological activity, where two tectonic plates meet. This area is infamous for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other seismic events. The volcano itself rises to about 500 meters in altitude and is part of a broader zone of volcanic and tectonic activity that stretches across eastern Africa.
Although the eruption of Hayli Gubbi was dramatic, the volcano is considered relatively small compared to some of the continent’s larger volcanoes, such as Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Nyiragongo. Nonetheless, the eruption is highly significant, as the volcano has not erupted in recorded history during the Holocene, a period that began approximately 12,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age.
The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program noted that Hayli Gubbi had no recorded eruptions during the Holocene, indicating that the volcano has been dormant for a remarkably long period. Volcanologist Simon Carn from Michigan Technological University confirmed this, noting that there is no evidence of any volcanic activity at Hayli Gubbi since the Holocene began.
This long period of inactivity makes the eruption even more unusual, as most volcanoes typically show signs of activity—such as minor eruptions, earthquakes, or ground deformation—long before a major eruption occurs. The sudden return of volcanic activity at Hayli Gubbi is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of geological processes, particularly in tectonically active regions such as the Rift Valley.
The eruption’s ash clouds posed an immediate concern for air traffic, with reports indicating that the ash drifted over several countries, including Yemen, Oman, India, and northern Pakistan. Volcanic ash can cause significant disruptions to aviation, as it poses a danger to aircraft engines and visibility. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre issued alerts for affected regions, urging authorities to monitor airspace and flight routes.
In the surrounding region, the eruption could also have an impact on local communities, particularly in terms of agriculture and air quality. Volcanic ash is known to be harmful to crops, livestock, and human health, particularly for those with respiratory conditions. The Afar region, home to some of Ethiopia’s poorest and most vulnerable populations, may face challenges from the ash fallout.
The East African Rift, where Hayli Gubbi is located, is one of the most geologically active zones on the planet. It is part of the tectonic boundary between the African Plate and the Arabian Plate, where the Earth’s crust is slowly pulling apart. This tectonic activity causes frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which have shaped the landscape of East Africa over millions of years.
The region is home to some of Africa’s most famous volcanoes, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Nyiragongo, and the Erta Ale volcano, known for its persistent lava lake. The recent eruption of Hayli Gubbi is a stark reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the Earth’s geology, particularly in areas where tectonic plates are in constant motion.
The eruption of Hayli Gubbi is drawing attention from volcanologists, scientists, and environmentalists around the world, especially as it highlights the unpredictable nature of volcanic activity. The global community is closely monitoring the aftermath of the eruption to assess any long-term impacts, particularly in terms of air quality, environmental damage, and the potential for future eruptions.
As researchers continue to study the volcanic event, there will likely be increased interest in monitoring the Hayli Gubbi volcano and other similar sites across the East African Rift. Advances in technology and seismic monitoring systems could help to provide earlier warnings in the future, potentially saving lives and mitigating damage from future eruptions in the region.
The eruption of Hayli Gubbi, after 12,000 years of dormancy, has brought renewed attention to the geological activity of the East African Rift Valley. The event serves as a reminder of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the Earth’s crust, and the potential hazards posed by volcanic activity in one of the world’s most tectonically active regions. While the immediate effects of the eruption are still being assessed, scientists are closely monitoring the volcano for further signs of activity, and the global community remains alert to the potential for more eruptions in the future.
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