Huge quantities of ash and gases reach Yemen and Oman after a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia

Ethiopia witnessed a rare geological event on Sunday with the eruption of Haile Gobi volcano in the Afar region, the first recorded volcanic activity for this volcano in about 12,000 years, according to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanology Program.

Location of the Hailey Gobi volcano and its geological significance

Haile Gobi volcano is located in northeastern Ethiopia, approximately 800 kilometers from the capital, Addis Ababa, near the border with Eritrea. The volcano lies within the African Rift Valley, a region of intense geological activity due to the collision and divergence of tectonic plates, making it one of the most prone areas to volcanic eruptions.

First eruption since the Holocene epoch

According to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanology Program, the Hailey Gobi volcano has not erupted since the beginning of the Holocene epoch, which ended with the last ice age approximately 12,000 years ago. Volcanologist Simon Carn of the University of Michigan confirmed that no volcanic activity has been detected at the volcano in modern times.

Details of the volcanic eruption and the massive plumes of smoke

The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Monitoring Center reported that the volcano, which is approximately 500 meters high, erupted on Sunday, releasing thick plumes of smoke and ash that reached 14 kilometers into the sky. This activity continued for several hours before ceasing. Data also indicated that winds carried the ash cloud over several countries, including:

• Yemen
• Sultanate of Oman
• India
• North Pakistan

Videos showing white smoke rising from the volcano site have circulated on social media, but AFP has not been able to verify their authenticity.

Potential losses and authorities' response

So far, no human casualties have been reported, especially since the area where the volcano is located is remote and sparsely populated.
The Afar regional authorities have not released any details about the potential damage or the number of people displaced by the incident.

Source: mcg24