Like Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi, These 5 Volcanoes Too ‘Awakened’ After Hundreds Of Years

Last Updated:November 25, 2025, 20:02 IST

Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi erupts after 12,000 years: Can a volcano stay dormant for thousands of years? What is a dormant volcano? Has it happened in the past?

People watch as ash billows from the Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region on Sunday. (Afar Government Communication Bureau via AP)

Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano has erupted for the first time in 10,000-12,000 years, spewing plumes of thick smoke and ash high into the sky and impacting air travel thousands of miles away in India. The volcano is situated in Ethiopia’s Erta Ale Range.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia experienced multiple powerful eruptions in 2025, but unlike Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, it was not a long-dormant volcano.

Can a volcano stay dormant for thousands of years? What is a dormant volcano? Has it happened in the past?

What is a volcano?

A volcano is a rupture or opening in the Earth’s crust through which magma (molten rock), gases, and ash escape from beneath the surface. Over time, the erupted material builds up around the vent, forming mountains or hills called volcanic cones.

Dormant volcanoes can remain quiet for decades, centuries, or even thousands of years. Dormancy length is unpredictable; magma may still exist beneath the surface, and tectonic activity can “wake up" the volcano.

5 volcanoes that erupted after staying dormant for hundreds of years

1. Nabro Volcano (Eritrea-Ethiopia border)

Erupted: June 2011

Dormant for: 10,000 years

It led to 13 km-high ash plume. Ash spread across East Africa and Arabian Peninsula. Dozens were killed, while thousands displaced. The eruption led to air traffic disruption over the region.

2. Chaitén Volcano (Chile)

Erupted: May 2008

Dormant for: 9,000 years

Massive ash plume went up to 17 km high. The entire town of Chaitén (4,000+ people) had to be evacuated. Rivers were clogged by ash. The damage amounted to billions of dollars.

3. Fourpeaked Volcano (Alaska, USA)

Erupted: September 2006

Dormant for: 10,000+ years

Large ash clouds were detected by satellites, with ashfall over remote Alaska regions. Aviation warnings had to be issued across the North Pacific.

4. Cerro Hudson Volcano (Chile)

Major eruption: August 1991

Dormant for: 3,000 years

It led to 30 km-high ash plume. There were massive agricultural losses due to ashfall. Thousands were evacuated, while there were livestock deaths and water contamination.

5. Mount Pinatubo (Philippines)

Erupted: June 1991

Dormant for: 600 years

This was the second-largest eruption of the 20th century. It left 800+ dead due to ashfalls, lahars and building collapses. Global temperature dropped ~0.5°C for a year. The ash reached 22 miles (35 km) into the atmosphere.

With Agency Inputs

News world Like Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi, These 5 Volcanoes Too ‘Awakened’ After Hundreds Of Years

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