For the First Time in 12,000 Years.. Volcano Erupts in Ethiopia

The Haile Gubbi volcano in northeastern Ethiopia erupted on Sunday for the first time in approximately 12,000 years, according to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program.

1. Volcano Location and Geological Details

• Location: The volcano is located in the Afar region, about 800 kilometers northeast of the capital, Addis Ababa, near the border with Eritrea.

• Geological Setting: It is situated in the Rift Valley, an area of significant geological turmoil caused by the collision of two tectonic plates, registering intense volcanic activity.

• Longest Dormancy: Volcanologist and professor at the University of Michigan, Simon Carn, confirmed that Haile Gubbi had not recorded any eruption during the Holocene epoch, a period that began about 12,000 years ago.

2. Eruption Details and Effects

• Height and Timing: The Haile Gubbi volcano, which is about 500 meters high, erupted on Sunday, releasing dense columns of smoke that reached 14 kilometers in altitude.

• Duration: The eruption phenomenon lasted several hours and concluded on Sunday.

• Ash Drift: The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center indicated that ash plumes drifted over Yemen, Oman, India, and northern Pakistan.

• Casualties: Authorities did not report any casualties, as the volcano is located in a remote, sparsely populated area. Afar regional authorities did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding potential victims or displaced persons.