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Hayli Gubbi Erupts After Nearly 12,000 Years — Ash Plumes Reach South Asia, Villages Coated in Ash

Hayli Gubbi in northern Ethiopia erupted on Nov. 23 — its first recorded eruption in nearly 12,000 years — sending ash plumes about 8.7 miles (14 km) into the atmosphere. The ash drifted as far as Pakistan and northern India and disrupted flights for several days. Villages in the Afdera district were heavily coated in ash and mobile medical teams were deployed. Officials reported that the eruption had stopped by Nov. 28 and monitoring continues.

10:33 PM, 11/29/2025Science
Hayli Gubbi Erupts After Nearly 12,000 Years — Ash Plumes Reach South Asia, Villages Coated in Ash

Hayli Gubbi, a volcano in northern Ethiopia, erupted on Nov. 23 — its first recorded eruption in roughly 12,000 years. Satellite imagery captured pale ash plumes stretching across the arid region as the eruption sent material high into the atmosphere.

Impact on communities and air traffic

The ash column rose to about 8.7 miles (14 km) and drifted across international air routes, reaching Pakistan and northern India and prompting flight cancellations for several days. No fatalities have been reported. Villages in the remote Afdera district were heavily coated in ash, damaging homes and affecting livestock.

Local health official Abedella Mussa said mobile medical teams were dispatched from the Afar region to assist neighborhoods impacted by ashfall and to provide basic medical care and supplies.

Scientific context

Researchers note that Hayli Gubbi’s last known activity roughly coincides with the start of the Holocene Epoch, about 11,700–12,000 years ago. Atalay Ayele, a seismologist at the Institute of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy at Addis Ababa University, says Ethiopia is home to about 50 volcanoes that can become active or show signs of unrest at any time.

"At any time, these volcanoes can be active or can show manifestations of activity," said Atalay Ayele.

Local residents reported noticing faint smoke from Hayli Gubbi in the days before the main eruption, indicating small precursory emissions that went largely unnoticed beyond the immediate area.

Recent volcanic activity in the region

This eruption follows other volcanic activity in Ethiopia earlier the same year. Erta Ale, also in the Afar region and known for a persistent lava lake, produced reports of a dense black cloud in mid-July 2025.

Current status

Officials report that Hayli Gubbi’s eruptive activity had ceased by Friday, Nov. 28. Authorities continue to monitor the volcano and surrounding areas for additional ashfall, health impacts, and potential disruption to transport and local services.

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