Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia Erupts After ~10,000 Years — 45,000 ft Ash Plume Disrupts Flights

On Sunday, November 23, 2025, Hayli Gubbi — a volcano in Ethiopia's Afar Region — erupted for the first time in recorded history. Scientists estimate its previous eruption occurred roughly 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, underscoring that long dormancy does not guarantee ongoing inactivity.

What Happened

The explosive phase began around 11:30 a.m. local time and had largely subsided by about 11 p.m. the same day. The eruption blasted an ash and gas column to roughly 45,000 feet (13,700 meters), well into the cruising altitudes of many commercial airliners. Satellite analyses estimate the plume carried about 220,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) mixed with volcanic ash and pulverized rock.

Local Impact and Damage

The blast ripped open Hayli Gubbi's summit, creating a new crater approximately 650 feet (200 meters) across and a smaller third crater nearby. Residents in Semera, about 120 miles (190 kilometers) south, reported hearing a powerful detonation and feeling a shock wave. The nearby village of Afdera, roughly 17 miles (28 kilometers) west of the volcano, was blanketed in ash; local residents reported breathing difficulties and heavy coughing, prompting deployment of emergency medical teams.

Two closeup images showing the change in crater shape before and after the Hayli Gubbi eruption - European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-2

Regional Effects and Aviation Disruption

The ash cloud traveled across the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula, affecting Yemen and Oman before moving into southern Pakistan and northern India. By 11 p.m. on November 24 the plume had reached Delhi — approximately 2,566 miles (4,130 kilometers) from Hayli Gubbi — covering that distance in about 35 hours.

Volcanic ash is a serious hazard to aircraft: fine particles can clog engine intakes and, at high temperatures, silica in ash can melt into glassy deposits that cause engine failure. In response to the eruption, Air India canceled 11 flights and Akasa Air suspended its Middle Eastern services. India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued advisories asking pilots to report any ash encounters and to exercise caution when routing flights through affected airspace.

Why This Eruption Was Unusual

Hayli Gubbi is typically a shield volcano, which usually produces runny lava and relatively gentle eruptions. This event was unusually explosive and has been classified as sub‑Plinian — characterized by powerful vertical columns and widespread ash dispersal. The eruption highlights the variability and unpredictability of volcanism in the East African Rift System.

A map showing the spread of the eruption plume from Hayli Gubbi across the world - European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-5P

Warning Signs Before the Eruption

Although the eruption seemed sudden, several precursor signals were observed in the months leading up to it. Nearby Erta Ale experienced explosive activity on July 15, and scientists recorded a magma intrusion that traveled southeast along a dike toward Hayli Gubbi. Fissure vents appeared along the rift, with the closest cluster about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) from Hayli Gubbi's crater. Satellite measurements also showed ground uplift earlier in the year, and observers noted an unusual white cloud inside Hayli Gubbi's crater between July 25 and November 18 — all consistent with magma movement that may have primed the system for eruption.

Health and Environmental Concerns

The roughly 220,000 tons of sulfur dioxide injected into the atmosphere can worsen local and regional air quality and may contribute to acid rain and respiratory problems downwind. Ashfall can contaminate water supplies, damage crops, and create long-term cleanup challenges for affected communities.

What Comes Next: Authorities and volcanologists will continue monitoring seismicity, gas emissions, ground deformation, and satellite imagery to assess ongoing hazards. The event underscores the importance of continuous monitoring in rift zones and of issuing timely aviation and public-health advisories when large eruptions occur.