Hayli Gubbi Volcano: In a rare and dramatic geological event, Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano in the Afar Rift erupted explosively on November 23, 2025, for the first time in at least 10,000 years. The eruption sent a colossal ash plume soaring up to 45,000 feet (14 km) into the atmosphere, with satellite data showing ash and sulfur dioxide clouds drifting east over the Red Sea toward Oman, Yemen, Iran, and Western India.
Background: A Giant Wakes
Nestled in one of Africa’s most volcanically active regions, the Afar Rift, Hayli Gubbi had no known eruptions during the Holocene epoch. Often overshadowed by nearby Erta Ale, Hayli Gubbi’s sudden eruption shocked volcanologists and geologists, given its absence from historical eruption records.
The volcano is situated about 400 km from Saudi Arabia, amplifying concerns about transboundary impacts.
Eruption Details and Regional Impacts
The eruption was first detected at 8:30 a.m. UTC by Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) using satellite imagery, as ground reports are sparse due to the volcano’s remoteness. Ash columns pierced aviation cruising altitude, prompting flight advisories across the Middle East.
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Lower-level ash is drifting over Djibouti, Oman, and Yemen, while upper-level clouds are predicted to reach farther into Pakistan and India, with some particles possibly visible in Gujarat and Punjab.
No Immediate Local Damage
Despite the scale, no casualties or major infrastructure damage have been reported. The region is sparsely populated, and scientists are using satellite and remote sensing technologies to monitor ongoing risks as the eruption subsides.
Major Explosive Eruption Begins at Hayli Gubbi
Scientific and Global Significance
Experts say Hayli Gubbi’s eruption provides a rare scientific window into the behavior of shield volcanoes long presumed dormant. The release of vast sulfur dioxide quantities may impact regional air quality and weather patterns temporarily, reigniting research and policy debates on volcano risk monitoring in geologically active but remote areas.
Experts’ Views
Geologist Simon Carn and other volcanologists highlight that such “awakening giants” pose unique challenges for forecasting, especially given the reliance on satellite data for real-time monitoring in places without robust instrumentation.
Truth Amid Turbulence
Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’s Satgyan emphasizes preparation, truth, and collective welfare in the face of natural upheavals. The eruption’s minimal harm to communities, thanks to remoteness and scientific vigilance, stands as a lesson in respecting nature’s power and the importance of ethical stewardship for the planet.
Key Facts
- First Hayli Gubbi eruption in at least 10,000 years occurred on November 23, 2025.
- Ash plume rose to 45,000 feet, threatening regional aviation safety.
- Ash and SO2 clouds drifted from Ethiopia toward the Middle East, Iran, and parts of India.
- No major casualties or ground damage reported owing to the volcano’s remote location.
- Event monitored entirely by satellite data due to sparse human habitation.
FAQs: Hayli Gubbi
In Ethiopia’s Afar Rift, southeast of the Erta Ale volcanic range.
It’s the volcano’s first known eruption in at least 10,000 years, marking a momentous geological event.
Impact on aviation, air quality, and potential ash fallout over a wide intercontinental area.
Almost exclusively through satellite imagery and remote sensing advisory centers.
While rare, increased study and monitoring are essential in the world’s volcanic regions to better predict risk.
Global Lesson in Humility
The eruption of Hayli Gubbi after a 10,000-year slumber has shaken up the scientific community and underscored the volatility of East Africa’s geology. Blasting ash and gases across continents, it’s a vivid reminder of Earth’s restless nature and the enduring importance of preparedness, research, and respect for the forces shaping our world.
The event is not just a scientific milestone but a global lesson in humility before nature’s immense and unpredictable power.
