The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Northern Ethiopia erupted on November 23, 2025, marking its first eruption in nearly 12,000 years. This significant geological event unleashed a massive ash cloud, which disrupted nearby villages and created challenges for local communities. Satellite imagery captured the extensive ash plumes, which extended across the arid landscape, revealing the volcano’s dramatic impact on the region.
Prior to this eruption, the last recorded activity from Hayli Gubbi aligned with the beginning of the Holocene Epoch, a period that commenced after the last ice age approximately 2.6 million years ago. While no fatalities have been reported, the eruption has left villages in the remote Afdere district covered in ash, affecting homes and livestock. According to the Associated Press, local health officials have mobilized medical assistance to support affected neighborhoods.
As the ash cloud rose to an altitude of 8.7 miles (14 km), it drifted beyond Ethiopia, reaching as far as Pakistan and Northern India. This led to numerous flight cancellations in those regions over the following days. The ash cloud has since begun to shift towards China, further illustrating the eruption’s widespread effects.
Local Response and Expert Insights
Abedella Mussa, a health official in the Afdera district, confirmed to the Associated Press that mobile medical services were dispatched from the Afar region. These efforts are aimed at providing immediate support to the kebeles, or neighborhoods, impacted by the volcanic activity.
Atalay Ayele, a seismologist and researcher at the Institute of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy at Addis Ababa University, emphasized Ethiopia’s geological activity. He stated, “Ethiopia is home to about 50 active volcanoes. At any time, these volcanoes can be active or can show manifestations of activity.” Despite the lack of scientific forecasting for this specific eruption, residents reported observing smoke emanating from Hayli Gubbi in the days leading up to the event.
The eruption of Hayli Gubbi is not an isolated incident in Ethiopia’s geological history. Earlier this year, the Erta Ale volcano in the Afar region, known for its continuous volcanic activity, generated reports of a dense black cloud in mid-July 2025.
As of November 28, 2025, reports indicate that the activity of Hayli Gubbi has ceased. However, the implications of this eruption may continue to affect the local population and the environment for some time. The event serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of the region’s geology and the potential for future volcanic activity.
