Ethiopian Volcano Blasts for Initial Instance in 12,000 Years
A volcanic peak in northeastern the Ethiopian region has exploded for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending dense plumes of ash as high as 9 miles (14km) into the atmosphere, as reported by volcanological observers.
The Hayli Gubbi, situated in the Afar region of Ethiopia about 500 miles north-east of Addis Ababa near the Eritrean border, erupted on Sunday for a number of hours.
This volcanic structure, which rises about 500 metres in altitude, sits within the Rift Valley, a area of intense tectonic movement where two tectonic plates converge.
Ash clouds from the blast traveled over Yemen, Oman, the Indian subcontinent and Pakistan's northern areas, observation sources stated.
Satellite imagery depicting volcanic debris from the Hayli Gubbi volcanic eruption in Ethiopia.
In footage circulated on online platforms, a heavy plume of white smoke could be observed ascending, though confirmation was not immediately available.
International volcanism programs noted that Hayli Gubbi has had no known outbursts during the Holocene epoch, which began about 12,000 years ago at the end of the most recent glacial period.
A volcanologist affirmed on a social platform that this volcano “has no history of eruptions in the Holocene”.
Regional authorities have yet to responded regarding possible casualties or the count of displaced people.
