'Like a sudden bomb': See photos from space of Ethiopian volcano erupting for first time in 12,000 years

Live Science ^ | November 25, 2025 | Skyler Ware

[Twotone]

A volcano in Ethiopia erupted for the first time in at least 12,000 years on Sunday, sending a cloud of ash and smoke northeast across the Red Sea.

Hayli Gubbi, a volcano in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia, erupted at around 8:30 a.m. UTC (3:30 a.m. EST) on Nov. 23. By 8 p.m. UTC (3 p.m. EST), the explosive phase of the eruption had stopped, according to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in France.

This is the first time Hayli Gubbi is known to have erupted in the Holocene — the present geological epoch that began at the end of the last ice age, around 11,700 years ago. Generally, if a volcano hasn't erupted in the Holocene, it is considered extinct.

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TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Science
KEYWORDS: africa; danakildepression; eruption; eruptions; ethiopia; geology; hayligubbi; science; volcano; volcanoes

[Twotone]

Satellite image of the plume at the site.

[Vermont Lt]

I am amused at how a lot of writers of this story use the 12,000 years as if it is a long geologic time. When it comes to the earth…12,000 years is a blink of an eye.

Just wait until the earth decides to reactivate Mt Ranier or Yellowstone.

[Diogenesis]

[BlueStateRightist]

Or Haleakala, which will create a few problems for the island of Maui.

[Gay State Conservative]

So much for “dormant” volcanoes! I’ll keep that in mind next time I’m in Naples or in Indonesia.

[Gay State Conservative]

One thing I’d love to see is that volcano in Hawaii that slowly oozes lava into the ocean. I think that would be really cool to see.

[Dan in Wichita]

Trump's fault??

Anyone with TDS would believe it. Their depth of ignorance, stupidity, and hate knows no bounds.

[Gay State Conservative]

Or the dozens of stupendous volcanoes in Indonesia that haven't erupted in a few hundred years. I read recently that there's a massive volcano on the North island of New Zealand which,they say,has the capacity to devastate the entire earth.

[CatOwner]

I read recently that there's a massive volcano on the North island of New Zealand which,they say,has the capacity to devastate the entire earth.

Its eruption would correct a planet in dire need of fixing. Man's actions (more like his in-actions) are creating hell on Earth.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

BOOM!

[Roman_War_Criminal]

With what passes for “science” and “scientists” these days, I would conclude that there is no such thing as dormant volcanoes.

[hoosierham]

???
Are you insane?

Do you really want mankind wiped out?

[CatOwner]

Wait until the DEMs get back in control and Islam takes a foothold in the country. You’ll be wishing for a correction of some kind.

[AZJeep]

The whole Cascades on US Northwest are considered active volcanoes. Mt Rainier is especially dangerous.
As far as dormant volcanoes, they are all around CA, AZ, NV, NM, WY, ID etc.

[Sacajaweau]

Maybe it went off 9,000 or 6,000 years ago. 12,000 is nothing more than a guess...just like all the climate change guesses.

[Jemian]

I’m in Indonesia. Not bothered a bit.

[SunkenCiv]

• Ethiopia Volcano Update; Major Explosive Eruption Begins at Hayli Gubbi [11/23/2025]
• A Major Explosive Volcanic Eruption Just Occurred in Africa; Geologist Analysis [4:51] [11/25/2025]

[The Louiswu]

I’ve always held that a good super volcano eruption or a nice sized asteroid strike would help reset the human race back to some cooperation and common sense. I don’t want people to die of course but I’d sure like to see a bunch of people get an attitude adjustment.

[deport]

they say,has the capacity to devastate the entire earth.

********

Does it really matter if you are dead and gone? Renewal
may be a blessing.

[airborne]

Looks like snow for Christmas!