The possibility of an Ethiopian volcano eruption is always on the minds of anyone living in the Horn of Africa, and the recent Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption suggests so. Ethiopia is on the East African Rift System, which is seismically active; therefore, this event is not a matter of “if” but “when.” This volcanic activity isn’t often in the news like eruptions in Iceland or Italy, but it’s some of the most important scientific activity on Earth.
It gives us a unique look at the processes that shape our world. This page goes into the history, current state, and science behind the next big volcanic eruption in Ethiopia. It separates fact from fantasy and answers frequent questions that people have.
Table of Contents
When was the Last Ethiopian Volcano Eruption?
The last Ethiopian volcano eruption occurred on the morning of November 23. A cloud of volcanic ash from Ethiopia travelled across the Red Sea and moved over Oman and Yemen before reaching Delhi, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The ash originates from the Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted on Sunday morning.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia. Photo/NDTV
Hayli Gubbi volcano, situated in the Afar region of Ethiopia lay dormant for 12,000 years. However, it erupted suddenly, releasing a massive column of ash high into the atmosphere.
No injuries were recorded, according to a local administrator, Mohammed Seid. Nevertheless, he warned that the eruption may disrupt the livelihoods of livestock herders who depend on the surrounding land. He explained that there is no known history of the Hayli Gubbi volcano erupting, and the community is worried about the long-term impact.
The thick ash from the Ethiopian volcano eruption covered many villages, leaving little pasture for livestock.
Where is Hayli Gubbi Volcano Found in Ethiopia?
The volcano, which rises roughly 500 metres, is located in the Rift Valley, an area known for significant tectonic activity. According to the VAAC, ash from the eruption spread across Yemen, Oman, India and even parts of northern Pakistan.
Residents in the Afar region, which frequently experiences earthquakes, described the force of the eruption. One of them, Ahmed Abdela, said he heard a powerful blast followed by what felt like a shock wave.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia. Photo/Volcano Discovery
The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program reports that Hayli Gubbi shows no evidence of erupting at any point in the Holocene period. This period spans roughly the last 12,000 years since the close of the last ice age.
Volcanologist Simon Carn of Michigan Technological University also noted on Bluesky that Hayli Gubbi has no documented eruptions during this era. Therefore, the Ethiopian volcano eruption remains a mystery.
Is the Ethiopia Volcano Still Erupting?
Forget Hayli Gubbi volcano for a moment. Erta Ale is currently, and almost perpetually, in an eruptive state. It’s famed for its one, or sometimes, two active lava lakes within its summit caldera. These lakes churn and occasionally overflow for over a century, making Erta Ale one of the most reliable destinations in the world to see an active lava lake.
This constant activity is fueled by a steady supply of magma from beneath the Afar Depression. The intensity of the lava lake and flank eruptions can vary. However, the volcano is yet to get into a fully quiescent, non-eruptive state in modern recorded history. Scientists closely monitor its activity as a barometer for the region’s broader volcanic potential.
Erta Ale volcano first erupted in November 2023. This event was characteristic of the volcano’s persistent activity, featuring a substantial fissure eruption on its southern flank. Lava fountains and flows came out, continuing the volcano’s reputation as one of the few on Earth to host a long-lived lava lake.
Why Did the Volcano Erupt in Ethiopia?
The primary reason behind any Ethiopian volcano eruption is the movement of the East African Rift. It’s a massive tectonic boundary where the African continent pulls itself apart. This process, known as continental rifting, thins the Earth’s crust, allowing hot material from the mantle to rise closer to the surface.
This upwelling generates immense heat and pressure, melting the rock to form magma. Since the crust is stretched and fractured, this magma finds easy pathways to ascend. Ethiopia sits at a triple junction where three tectonic plates (the Nubian, Somali, and Arabian) diverge, creating a particularly weak and active zone.
This unique geological setting explains the high density of volcanoes in the country. An Ethiopian volcano eruption is, therefore, a direct surface manifestation of the African continent splitting in two over millions of years.
In the case of Erta Ale volcano and Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption, they lie in the Afar region. Afar is one of the most geologically active places on Earth situated in the East African Rift system. The tectonic plates move apart, which makes the Earth’s crust thinner and makes it easier for magma to flow. Pressure built up under Hayli Gubbi for thousands of years finally came out in a huge eruption.
Erta Ale and other volcanic areas constantly emit dangerous gases like sulfur dioxide. Lava Flow continue to destroy property and displace Afar pastoralists. Lastly, the recent Ethiopian volcano eruption, Hayli Gubbi volcano, disrupted aviation and agriculture in a big way.
According to BBC, numerous flights in India were cancelled, diverted, or delayed due to the ash plume. The national aviation regulator instructed airlines to “completely avoid” the impacted airspace. Experts said the exact concentration of ash is still unknown, but it couldn’t worsen Delhi’s air quality further. It was already classified as “very poor” in official readings on Tuesday.
