Volcanic Eruption in Ethiopia: Hayli Gubbi Volcano Awakens After 12,000 Years
The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, has erupted, a rare geological event and the first in approximately 12,000 years, according to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program.
Location and Geological Context
This volcano is situated in the Afar region, near the border with Eritrea, in the rift zone where tectonic activity is intense. There are no known records of eruptions from this volcano over the past ten millennia, although eruption archives in the region are limited.
Eruption Details
The volcano, which stands about 500 meters tall, released massive plumes of smoke reaching an altitude of 14 kilometers before its eruption subsided a few hours later. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Surveillance Center indicated that the clouds were pushed by winds towards Yemen, Oman, India, and northern Pakistan.
Impact on Surrounding Regions
In Yemen, authorities announced that volcanic ash clouds had spread over vast areas in the governorates of Hodeida, Ibb, and Dhamar, warning that these ashes carry fine particles of rocks and volcanic glass that can pose a health and environmental hazard, even in areas far from the eruption site. The Governmental Meteorological Forecast and Early Warning Center stated in a statement on Monday that volcanic ash clouds from Ethiopia, following the eruption of a volcano, were spreading over large parts of Yemen due to dominant winds. The Center specified that "this type of ash contains fine particles of rocks and volcanic glass, and the risk of being affected is not limited to areas close to the volcano but can spread over hundreds of kilometers depending on the state of the winds."
Public Reaction and Safety
Social media platforms witnessed a wave of generalized concern among Yemenis who stated they had never seen such a phenomenon. No human losses were recorded in Ethiopia, as the volcano is located in a remote and sparsely populated area. Authorities continue to monitor the situation to assess any potential damage.
Geological Significance
The Hayli Gubbi volcano is one of the volcanoes that have not recorded activity since the Holocene, about 12,000 years ago, according to data from the Global Volcanism Program. Despite its modest size compared to large volcanoes, its sensitive geological position gives its eruption an extended impact, especially since the surrounding area is uninhabited but surrounded by wind corridors capable of transporting volcanic ash over long distances. This volcano constitutes an important model for studying tectonic changes in the East African region, where a gradual separation of plates is expected over the next few thousand years, contributing to the understanding of the continent's future geological evolution.
