Possible effects of the Haile Gobi volcano on the Gulf region

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society, and member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy, Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, expected clouds of ash from the Hayli Gubbi volcano and sulfur dioxide gas (SO₂) to move towards parts of the Arabian Peninsula, especially Yemen and Oman.

The Afar region in Ethiopia witnessed an exceptional geological event with the eruption of the “Hayli Gubbi” volcano for the first time in modern history, which sparked the interest of scientists and meteorological agencies around the world.

Al-Jarwan said, in a statement to “Emirates Today”: “The first known eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano began on November 23, 2025 at approximately 08:30 AM GMT. This volcano is considered a shield type, and is located in a remote area within the Great African Rift, and is part of a volcanic system extending across Ethiopia and Eritrea. Although the area is known for its geological activity, this particular volcano has not had any recorded eruptions for thousands of years.

He added: “The sudden eruption began by releasing a thick column of ash that rose more than ten kilometers into the sky, which was clearly visible on satellite images and atmospheric monitoring platforms. This coincided with significant emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), which increased concerns about environmental and health impacts, especially with the possibility of volcanic clouds moving towards populated areas in the Arabian Peninsula.”

Al-Jarwan explained that, due to the great strength of the eruption, volcanic ash warning centers issued alerts to civil aviation, as fine ash particles can affect aircraft engines and navigation systems. Local authorities also recommended not to approach the volcano area and to avoid breathing air polluted with gases.

He pointed out that this event aroused the interest of the scientific community, as it is a rare opportunity to study volcanic activity that awakens after a very long period of dormancy. It also highlights the complexities of the African Rift, which is witnessing geological transformations that may be an indication of broader changes in the Earth’s crust, pointing out that although the eruption has subsided according to the latest reports, experts stress the need for continued monitoring, as the first eruptions may be followed by subsequent explosions in some shield volcanoes. At the same time, the priority remains the safety of residents and monitoring the movement of ash clouds to reduce potential risks.

Al-Jarwan expected that there would be some possible effects of the eruption of the Haile Gobi volcano on the Arabian Peninsula, explaining that the eruption of the Haile Gobi volcano in Ethiopia led to the movement of clouds of volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide gas (SO₂) towards parts of the Arabian Peninsula, especially Yemen and Oman, causing a decline in air quality and the possibility of eye and respiratory irritation among residents.

He added that the interaction of gases with water vapor may lead to the formation of light acid rain in the affected areas, and the high ash in the atmosphere poses a threat to aviation safety over the Red Sea and neighboring areas, noting that although the broad climate impacts are uncertain, the event requires continuous follow-up by the competent authorities due to the possibility of changing directions of volcanic clouds during the following days.

Al-Jarwan explained that the latest data from “VAAC Toulouse” indicates that the ash cloud (and SO₂) is moving towards the east-northeast (ENE), towards the southern parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and media outlets indicate that the ash actually extended to reach parts of Yemen due to the winds.