Dormant Volcano Hayli Gubbi Erruption: Experts Weigh In on 'Sign' That Pacific Ring of Fire May Be Awakening

Satellite image of Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia during a large explosive eruption, first in 10,000 years. (Credit: Photo from Planet.com via Prof. Simon Carn on Blue Sky)

KEY POINTS

• Hayli Gubbi produced its first recorded eruption, sending ash up to 45,000ft toward Arabia
• The volcano sits near the Afar Rift, one of the most active tectonic zones on Earth
• Though an unusual phenomenon, experts say it is not evidence that the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' is 'waking up'

A volcano in northeastern Ethiopia erupted explosively for the first time in thousands of years, sending ash as high as 45,000ft (13.7km) and drifting across Yemen and Oman. The event has triggered a wave of speculation online that a new geological era may be emerging — with social media users asking whether the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' is coming back to life.