English
The Ethiopia volcano eruption first-time-in-millennia shocked communities across the Afar region as the long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano roared back to life. The eruption sent a towering plume of ash nearly 14 kilometres into the sky and across the Red Sea, creating a rare geological event. The Ethiopia volcano eruption first-time-in-millennia also forced authorities to respond quickly as ash blanketed nearby villages and disrupted daily life.
NASA satellite imagery captured the dramatic scene, showing thick brown clouds spreading over the Afar landscape. Local authorities also released photos and videos that revealed the massive ash column rising from the crater.
Villages covered in ash
According to Mohammed Seid, a regional official, residents avoided injuries, yet the environmental damage continues to grow. He warned that ashfall now threatens farming communities who depend on livestock.
“Many villages are covered in ash,” he said. “Their animals now have little to eat because grazing areas are buried.”
The Afar region already faces frequent earthquakes, which intensify challenges for communities living near volcanic zones. Residents say they heard a powerful sound before the eruption. Ahmed Abdela described it as a shock wave that shook the ground.
“It felt like a sudden bomb had been thrown with smoke and ash,” he said.
Tourism disruption in the Danakil Desert
Meanwhile, villages near the Danakil Desert—one of Ethiopia’s major tourist destinations—remain coated in ash. Abdela reported that tourists and guides travelling toward the desert are stranded because the ash made roads unsafe. The situation may hurt local tourism, which supports many families in the region.
Economic risks mount
Local officials fear long-term economic losses as the eruption threatens livestock, farmland, and transportation routes. Ash pollution can destroy soil, contaminate water sources, and reduce crop growth. Authorities continue monitoring seismic activity while assessing the full extent of the damage.
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