ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Officials announced on Friday that thousands of residents in a remote northeastern area of Ethiopia are being relocated due to worrying volcanic activity.

The decision to evacuate follows the appearance of steam eruptions from the previously inactive Mount Dofen, which began Thursday. This development has raised alarms about the possibility of an impending volcanic eruption that could endanger local inhabitants.

In addition to the eruptions, the recently observed volcanic mud has resulted in significant damage, including large fissures on essential infrastructure such as major roads. Many structures in the Afar region have also been adversely affected, as reported by the Afar Region Disaster Risk Management agency.

On Friday, the agency confirmed that the evacuations are a precautionary measure. Residents are being moved to safer locations within the region to ensure their safety.

Despite the turmoil, Atalay Ayele, a geophysicist affiliated with the Institute of Geophysics Space Science and Astronomy at Addis Ababa University, noted that the steam emissions do not automatically indicate that a serious volcanic eruption is imminent.

Afar is recognized as one of the hottest and driest areas in Ethiopia, characterized by a history of volcanic activity, frequent seismic events, and ongoing challenges such as droughts, famines, and flooding. These factors have contributed to numerous evacuations in the region over recent years.