Hayli Gubbi

What is Hayli Gubbi

Hayli Gubbi is a shield volcano located in the Afar Region in northeastern Ethiopia. 
It is part of the Erta Ale Range — this is a stretch of volcanoes along a tectonically active rift system. 
The volcano’s summit rises to about 500 metres (≈ 1,620 feet) above sea level. 
Shield volcanoes like Hayli Gubbi are usually formed by low-viscosity lava that flows easily and spreads out slowly, creating broad, gently sloping landforms — unlike steep, conical stratovolcanoes. 

History (and Why 2025 Eruption Is Special)
Until recently, there was no known eruption of Hayli Gubbi in the current geological epoch (Holocene, last ~10–12 thousand years). 
On 23 November 2025, Hayli Gubbi erupted — the first documented eruption in at least 10,000–12,000 years. 
Scientists and volcanologists describe this as a rare and significant geological event, because shield volcanoes rarely produce such dramatic ash-rich eruptions. 

What Happened During the Eruption
The eruption produced a massive ash and gas plume that rose high — reports mention ash columns reaching up to 14–15 kilometres above the volcano. 
Satellite observations tracked the ash cloud spreading far beyond Ethiopia: it drifted across the Red Sea toward the Arabian Peninsula, and eventually toward parts of the Indian subcontinent and even beyond. 
The eruption was explosive and unexpected — given the volcano’s dormant status and shield-volcano character. Some volcanologists commented that producing a tall ash column from a shield volcano is “really rare.” 

Why It Matters — Local and Global Impacts
Local Impact: The nearby village of Afdera (in the Afar region) was blanketed in ash. Though no immediate loss of life or livestock was reported, ashfall threatens grazing lands, vegetation, and the livelihoods of local pastoralist communities. 
Global / Regional Impact: The ash and sulphur-dioxide cloud spread across international air routes. Aviation authorities issued warnings — flights over affected zones had to be rerouted or canceled, especially those crossing the Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, or passing toward South Asia. 
Scientific Significance: The event demonstrates that even long-dormant volcanoes — especially in remote, under-monitored regions — can awaken suddenly. It underscores the importance of monitoring volcanic zones, even when they appear quiet. 

Geological Notes: Why a Shield Volcano Erupted Explosively
Under typical conditions, shield volcanoes erupt gently with fluid lava flows. 
However, geological studies of Hayli Gubbi show that its magma includes not only basalt (common in shield volcano lava) but also more silica-rich rock types such as trachyte and rhyolite. 
Silica-rich magmas are more viscous and often trap more dissolved gas — so when they rise and decompress, they can produce explosive eruptions and tall ash plumes. That may explain why Hayli Gubbi produced a dramatic ash-rich eruption despite being a shield volcano.