Volcanic ash and sulphur dioxide gas from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption are expected to reach parts of Yemen and Oman in the coming days, according to a leading astronomy expert. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, stated that tracking models show the ash cloud moving east-northeast towards the southern Arabian Peninsula. The eruption has prompted advisories from regional authorities, including Oman’s Environment Authority, which warned of a potential temporary impact on air quality.
Historic Eruption After Millennia of Dormancy
The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, began its first known eruption in approximately 10,000 years on Sunday, 23 November. The long-dormant volcano, part of the Erta Ale Range, produced a dense column of ash that rose more than 10 kilometres into the atmosphere. Satellite imagery captured the significant plume, which has since drifted across the Red Sea.
Scientists consider the event one of the most extraordinary volcanic awakenings in the region’s recorded history. Despite its remote location, the scale of the plume, which reached altitudes near 20,000 feet, drew immediate attention from scientific and aviation bodies.
Potential Impact on Air Quality and Aviation
According to Al Jarwan, the drifting ash and sulphur dioxide could reduce air quality in affected areas of Yemen and Oman. He warned that some residents might experience eye or respiratory irritation. The gas can also react with atmospheric moisture to create light acid rain.
Volcanic ash warning centres have issued alerts to civil aviation, as the fine particles pose a significant risk to aircraft. The ash can damage jet engines, reduce visibility, and interfere with navigation systems, a key concern for the UAE aviation presence and other regional hubs. Aviation routes over the Red Sea and surrounding areas may face disruptions until conditions stabilise.
A Rare Opportunity for Scientific Study
The eruption provides researchers with a rare opportunity to study a dormant volcanic system reactivating after millennia. It also underscores the ongoing geological movement in the African Rift Valley, where shifts in the Earth’s crust can trigger sudden volcanic activity. Although the initial eruption has reportedly subsided, experts caution that shield volcanoes can experience subsequent explosions, making continuous monitoring essential.
Regional agencies are continuing to track the plume’s movement, as wind directions can shift. Data from VAAC Toulouse confirms the cloud’s trajectory towards the Arabian Peninsula, with some media reports indicating that traces of ash have already reached parts of Yemen.
