Summary (tl;dr)

Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano has erupted for the first time in approximately 10,000 years, sending a large ash plume across the Red Sea towards the Arabian Peninsula.

Essential Background

The Hayli Gubbi volcano is a shield volcano situated in the remote Danakil Depression within Ethiopia's Afar Rift, a geologically active area that also hosts the more frequently erupting Erta Ale volcano. Unlike its well-known neighbor, Hayli Gubbi had no recorded eruptions in modern history, with geological estimates suggesting it had been dormant for as long as 10,000 years. The extreme heat and challenging conditions of the region have historically limited on-ground geological studies, leading to incomplete records of its past activity.

The Full Story

On Sunday, November 23, 2025, around 8:30 a.m. UTC, the Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted explosively, marking a significant geological event. Satellite data confirmed that a massive ash cloud rose an estimated 10–15 kilometers (approximately 45,000 feet) into the atmosphere. This plume subsequently drifted across the Red Sea, affecting air traffic and reaching parts of the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, specifically Oman and Yemen. Due to the volcano's remote location, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or property damage, but aviation authorities have issued warnings to airlines operating in the Middle East.

Why It Matters

This rare eruption is highly significant as it represents the awakening of a volcano dormant for millennia, attracting global scientific attention to a largely unstudied volcanic area. Researchers are utilizing satellite imagery and remote monitoring to track the ongoing activity, hoping to gain crucial insights into magma behavior within this underexplored region. This event also contributes to the broader understanding of the dynamic geological processes occurring in the East African Rift, an area believed to be in the early stages of forming a new ocean basin. Furthermore, the extensive ash plume poses potential hazards to air travel, underscoring the wider implications of such natural phenomena.

Geographic Location

• Afar Region, Ethiopia (Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption)
• Red Sea (ash plume drift)
• Oman (ash plume impact)
• Yemen (ash plume impact)