Eyewitness Describes Ethiopian Volcano Eruption as “An Instant Explosion”
A long-dormant volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region suddenly burst to life, spewing massive ash clouds into the air and frightening local communities
Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts for the First Time in Recorded History
On Sunday, a massive volcanic eruption hit Ethiopia’s Afar region, completely catching residents off guard. Many residents heard an explosive blast as a towering column of ash and smoke shot almost 14 kilometres into the air. The locals said the eruption seemed like a sudden shockwave ripped through the ground and stirred panic in the nearby settlements.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano rises to a height of about 500 metres, in a geologically active part of the Rift Valley, where several major tectonic plates are still shifting. For villagers like Ahmed Abdela, the experience was nothing short of terrifying. According to him, the noise and rumbling gave one the feeling that something had exploded underneath them. Scientists said no eruption of this particular volcano has ever been recorded in modern history.
According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Programme, officials have confirmed this might be the first eruption in more than 10,000 years. While there are no reports of human or animal casualties, thick layers of ash have covered the surrounding villages, threatening farmland and grazing areas vital for local survival.
The ash plume traversed the Red Sea, and drifted toward Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, and parts of northern India, raising concerns about flight safety and air pollution. Tour guides and tourists in the Afdera area-a common starting point for Danakil desert expeditions-found themselves unable to move as visibility dropped sharply due to falling ash.
