Ethiopia's Volcano Erupts for Initial Instance in 12,000 Years
A volcano in north-eastern the Ethiopian region has erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending dense plumes of ash up to 9 miles (14km) into the atmosphere, as reported by volcanological observers.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region about 500 miles northeast of the capital Addis Ababa near the Eritrean border, burst forth on the past Sunday for a number of hours.
This volcano, which stands about 500 metres in altitude, resides within the Great Rift Valley, a area of intense tectonic movement where multiple continental plates converge.
Ash clouds from the eruption drifted over the nation of Yemen, Oman, India and Pakistan's northern areas, observation sources stated.
A satellite image depicting volcanic debris from the Hayli Gubbi volcanic eruption in Ethiopia.
In videos shared on social media, a heavy plume of white smoke could be observed rising, though verification was not immediately available.
Global volcanic activity databases stated that the volcano has had no known eruptions during the Holocene, which started about 12,000 years ago at the end of the most recent glacial period.
A volcanologist affirmed on a online service that this volcano “has no record of eruptions in the Holocene”.
Local authorities have yet to issued a statement regarding possible injuries or the number of evacuees.
