An volcanic peak in northeastern the Ethiopian region has erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending thick plumes of smoke as high as 9 miles (14km) into the atmosphere, as reported by volcanic monitoring centers.
The Hayli Gubbi, situated in the Afar region of Ethiopia about 500 miles north-east of the capital Addis Ababa near the border with Eritrea, burst forth on Sunday for several hours.
This volcano, which stands about 500 metres in altitude, sits within the Rift Valley, a area of intense tectonic movement where multiple continental plates meet.
Ash clouds from the blast traveled over the nation of Yemen, Oman's airspace, the Indian subcontinent and Pakistan's northern areas, observation agencies indicated.
A satellite image depicting ash from the Hayli Gubbi event in Ethiopia.
In videos shared on social media, a heavy column of white smoke could be seen ascending, though confirmation was not immediately available.
Global volcanic activity databases noted that the volcano has had no recorded eruptions during the Holocene epoch, which started about 12,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age.
A volcanic expert confirmed on a social platform that this volcano “has no record of eruptions in the Holocene”.
Local officials have not yet issued a statement regarding potential casualties or the count of displaced people.