HAYLI GUBBI VOLCANO: The Reawakening of a Long-Silent Giant

The sudden eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia in November 2025 became one of the most surprising geological events of the decade. A volcano that had remained silent for nearly 12,000 years unexpectedly burst back to life, sending ash high into the sky and attracting global attention. The eruption not only reshaped the immediate surroundings but also demonstrated how even an ancient volcano can influence regions far beyond its borders.

This article offers a fresh, fully unique exploration of the volcano’s setting, its extraordinary 2025 eruption, and the effects felt across communities, nations, and even continents.

A Landscape Marked by Fire: Where Hayli Gubbi Stands

The Afar region of northeastern Ethiopia is part of one of Earth’s most geologically active terrains—an area shaped by the slow tearing apart of tectonic plates. At the southern tip of the Erta Ale volcanic range lies Hayli Gubbi, a broad shield volcano formed by thin, fast-moving basaltic lava flows. This type of volcano usually produces gentle eruptions rather than violent explosions.

Hayli Gubbi’s summit holds a deep, elongated depression created by crustal stretching. A circular crater sits within this structure, surrounded by old lava flows that stretch for many kilometres. For thousands of years, the volcano showed no signs of waking. Its last known eruptive activity dates back to prehistoric times, long before written civilization existed in the region.

Despite its quiet appearance, the volcano sits directly within the East African Rift, a zone where continents slowly pull apart. This ongoing tectonic movement ensures that magma continues to collect deep beneath the surface—meaning the potential for future eruptions never truly disappears.

A Day That Changed the Region: The 2025 Eruption

On 23 November 2025, the calm landscape around Hayli Gubbi was shattered. In the early hours, monitoring centers detected a sudden release of volcanic ash rising dramatically into the sky. What followed was an explosive event completely unexpected from a volcano of this type.

Satellite observations revealed ash reaching staggering heights of around 14 kilometres, a plume more typical of powerful stratovolcanoes. The eruption style resembled a sub-Plinian event, marked by towering columns of ash, powerful gas emissions, and widespread fallout.

People living in nearby villages described a booming sound that shook homes. Ash drifted down over livestock grazing areas, water sources, and roads, disrupting daily life within minutes. Fortunately, despite the strength of the eruption, there were no reported fatalities.

Still, the ash caused immediate challenges:

• Grazing fields were coated in thick ash layers
• Livestock struggled to find feed
• Water contamination became a major concern
• Transportation within remote communities slowed dramatically

Though the explosive phase lasted only a short time, its impact was severe enough to cause long-term difficulties for pastoral families who depend heavily on the land.

A Shockwave Felt Far Beyond Ethiopia

While the eruption was a local event, the ash cloud did not remain local for long. Strong upper-level winds carried the ash eastward at high speed, propelling it over the Red Sea, across the Arabian Peninsula, and eventually thousands of kilometres into South Asia.

Countries as far away as India saw the effects. Ash at cruising altitudes forced multiple airlines to cancel or divert aircraft. Major carriers issued advisories to passengers and rerouted flights to ensure safety. Though the ash cloud remained high in the atmosphere and did not significantly affect ground-level air quality, it posed a serious threat to aviation engines.

Meteorologists later noted that the ash plume drifted toward East Asia as the winds carried it further through the upper atmosphere. This demonstrated how a single volcanic eruption—even from a relatively small volcano in a remote region—can disrupt air travel across continents.

The Significance of This Rare Event

A Wake-Up Call from a “Sleeping” Volcano

Many believed that Hayli Gubbi was essentially dormant or even extinct, but the 2025 eruption proved otherwise. Scientists emphasized that long periods of silence do not eliminate volcanic hazards. Magma can accumulate for millennia before finding a path to the surface.

The eruption challenged assumptions about how inactive volcanoes are classified and highlighted the need for long-term geological records.

Insights into the East African Rift

Hayli Gubbi’s awakening provides researchers with a rare opportunity. The East African Rift—one of the few places on the planet where a new ocean may eventually form—remains under constant scientific observation. This eruption adds valuable data about magma movement, crustal stretching, and rift-zone volcanism.

Effects on Global Transportation

The disruption to international flights reminded the world of the aviation industry’s vulnerability to volcanic ash. Even a short eruption can lead to days of cancellations, rerouting, and economic loss.

Local Community Challenges

People in the Afar region rely heavily on livestock. Ash contamination threatens grazing lands, water sources, and animal health. Such impacts can continue long after the ash stops falling, creating long-term livelihood stresses.

Looking Ahead: Preparedness and Research

The reactivation of Hayli Gubbi has prompted new discussions about improving volcanic monitoring systems in the Afar region. Prior to the eruption, the volcano had no dedicated monitoring stations. Scientists now propose:

• installing seismic sensors to track underground activity
• conducting detailed mapping of old lava flows
• training local communities in early-warning procedures
• enhancing coordination between meteorological agencies and aviation authorities

New studies will likely focus on understanding whether Hayli Gubbi may erupt again, how magma moves beneath the rift, and what risks exist for surrounding settlements.

Conclusion

The 2025 eruption of Hayli Gubbi has already entered the global record as one of the most surprising geological events of the century. After thousands of years of quiet, the volcano unleashed an explosive display that affected regions from East Africa to South Asia. It revealed how deeply interconnected our planet is—how activity in a remote rift valley can disrupt major flight routes and challenge scientists’ assumptions about ancient volcanic systems.

Hayli Gubbi’s reawakening is more than a natural event; it is a powerful reminder of Earth’s dynamic nature. Beneath seemingly quiet landscapes, great geological forces continue their timeless work. And sometimes, without warning, they rise dramatically to the surface.