.jpg)
Volcano Blast Shakes Ethiopia — Ash Clouds From Hayli Gubbi Drift Toward India, Trigger Global Aviation Alert
In a dramatic “breaking news” turn, the long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia has erupted after nearly 12,000 years of inactivity — and its effects are being felt far beyond Africa.
What happened: eruption, ash plume and magma explosion
On Sunday, the Hayli Gubbi volcano — located in the Afar region of Ethiopia — erupted violently, producing a towering ash cloud rising up to around 14 kilometres (about 45,000 ft) high. What makes this eruption especially dramatic: Hayli Gubbi had no known eruptions during the current geological age, making this its first confirmed eruption in roughly 12,000 years. Satellite imagery confirms the eruption’s magnitude: thick volcanic ash — potentially mixed with sulfur dioxide and rock particles — billowed into the atmosphere. Locals in nearby areas described a terrifying blast, followed by shock-waves and a dense cloud of smoke and ash blanketing homes, streets, farmlands and grazing grounds.
While there are no confirmed human casualties so far, the ash fallout has disrupted the lives of people and livestock alike. Pastures have been covered with dust and soot, threatening the livelihoods of herders. Many residents are reportedly stranded, and tourist groups heading toward nearby desert or rift-valley regions have had to suspend travel due to sudden darkness and ash coverage.
Why this eruption matters globally
-
Ash plume & atmospheric reach: The eruption sent ash high into the stratosphere. Strong high-altitude winds carried the ash cloud beyond the Red Sea — across the Arabian Sea and as far as western and northern India — a journey of over 4,000 km.
-
Aviation disruption & international impact: The ash cloud posed a serious hazard to aircraft. Fine volcanic ash and sulfur-laden particles can damage jet engines, reduce visibility, and endanger navigation — prompting aviation regulators to issue urgent advisories. Several airlines cancelled or rerouted flights to avoid affected airspace and altitudes.
-
Environmental & humanitarian concerns: In the immediate region around the volcano, villages were blanketed by ash. Livestock herders report that drinking water sources and grazing lands are contaminated — threatening both animals and people's livelihoods.
What scientists and authorities are watching
Geologists point out that the eruption of Hayli Gubbi underlines how even “forgotten” volcanoes — those with no known Holocene activity — can suddenly become active. The volcano lies in a tectonically active rift zone where geological stresses over millennia may have built up magma pressure undetected. Monitoring agencies — including international volcanic-ash advisories and regional meteorological departments — are now particularly alert. They continue tracking ash dispersion patterns, wind directions, and airspace hazards, warning airlines and airports along the ash’s path to stay vigilant.
Local authorities warn that the eruption’s economic fallout could be serious if ash covers farmlands and grazing fields for extended periods. Combined with potential repeated tremors or “phreatic eruptions,” the risk to both people and environment remains uncertain.
What to expect — and why this is breaking news
Given globalized air travel and our interconnected world, a volcano eruption in a remote African rift valley has immediate ripple effects: across continents, affecting airspace, aviation, trade routes, and people’s lives thousands of kilometres away. The sudden awakening of Hayli Gubbi is a stark reminder that geological threats — from ash, magma, lava and explosions — remain unpredictable.
For regions under ash-cloud paths, the threat is not limited to flight disruption: ash can cause air-quality issues, hamper visibility, and in extreme cases, damage infrastructure or affect agriculture. If winds shift, ash could travel further. The international scientific community may now prioritize monitoring of “hidden volcanoes” in under-observed areas — because even a 12,000-year dormant volcano can blast awake overnight.
.jpg)
.jpg&description=Massive Volcano Blast in Ethiopia: Hayli Gubbi Erupts After 12,000 Years){kind=link}
Social Plugin