After 12,000 Years: Ethiopian Volcano Erupts, Unveiling Earth’s Ancient Secrets!

A volcano in northeastern Ethiopia has erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, releasing thick smoke that reached 9 miles into the sky and drifted across the Red Sea. This event took place at the Hayli Gubbi volcano, located about 500 miles northeast of Addis Ababa and near the Eritrean border.

Local official Mohammed Seid reported there were no injuries, but the eruption poses a risk to local livestock herders. Villages are now covered in ash, leaving animals with little to eat. Seid expressed concern for the livelihoods of those living in the area.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano rises about 500 meters and is situated in the Rift Valley, a region known for significant geological activity. Ash clouds also spread over Yemen, Oman, and even as far as India and northern Pakistan. Ahmed Abdela, a resident nearby, described the eruption as feeling like a bomb, accompanied by a loud sound and a shock wave.

Experts are weighing in on the eruption. Simon Carn, a volcanologist at Michigan Technological University, noted that there are no records of Hayli Gubbi erupting in the Holocene epoch, which began roughly 12,000 years ago. This adds to the significance of the event.

Social media reactions have been swift, with videos showing the rising smoke, even as verification of these clips remains pending. The situation serves as a reminder of nature’s unpredictable power and the potential economic challenges faced by local communities in light of such disasters.

For further details about volcanic activity, the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program has extensive resources available for those interested.



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