An volcano in northeastern the Ethiopian region has exploded for the initial occasion in nearly 12,000 years, propelling dense columns of ash up to 9 miles (14km) into the atmosphere, as reported by volcanic monitoring centers.
The Hayli Gubbi, located in the Afar region of Ethiopia about 500 miles northeast of Addis Ababa near the border with Eritrea, burst forth on the past Sunday for several hours.
This volcanic structure, which rises about 500 metres in altitude, resides within the Rift Valley, a area of significant tectonic activity where multiple tectonic plates meet.
Ash clouds from the blast drifted over the nation of Yemen, Oman, the Indian subcontinent and Pakistan's northern areas, observation sources indicated.
Satellite imagery depicting ash from the Hayli Gubbi volcanic event in Ethiopia.
In footage shared on online platforms, a thick plume of white smoke could be observed rising, though confirmation was not immediately available.
International volcanism databases noted that Hayli Gubbi has had no known outbursts during the Holocene, which started about 12,000 years ago at the end of the most recent glacial period.
A volcanic expert confirmed on a online service that Hayli Gubbi “has no record of Holocene eruptions”.
Local officials have not yet responded regarding potential injuries or the count of displaced people.
