Ethiopia’s Long-Dormant Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts, Disrupts Flights Across Regions

Ethiopia’s long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted on 23 November, sending massive ash plumes across the Horn of Africa and beyond, in its first confirmed eruption in more than 12,000 years. The ash cloud rose high into the atmosphere and travelled eastward over the Red Sea, reaching parts of the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia, prompting significant disruption to international air travel.

In Ethiopia’s Afar region, villages near the eruption site were blanketed in ash. Local authorities deployed emergency medical teams after residents reported breathing difficulties and livestock struggled to access clean water and grazing land. Initial assessments indicate no major casualties, but officials have warned that prolonged ash exposure poses health risks.

The ash plume’s movement disrupted flight operations across multiple countries. Several international airlines temporarily cancelled or rerouted services to avoid ash-laden air corridors, including flights operating through India and the Gulf. Aviation regulators issued advisories urging airlines to exercise caution, as volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility.

Meteorological agencies tracked the plume as it drifted toward South Asia. By late Tuesday, weather officials confirmed the ash cloud had exited Indian airspace, although earlier turbulence caused delays and cancellations at several airports. Airlines are conducting safety inspections for aircraft that may have flown near affected zones.

Hayli Gubbi, located in the geologically active Afar Rift system, had shown no recorded activity in the Holocene era until this sudden eruption. Volcanologists note that the Afar region hosts several active and dormant volcanoes, making it one of the world’s most tectonically dynamic zones. While activity at Hayli Gubbi has since decreased, scientists caution that additional tremors or minor eruptions cannot be ruled out.

Activity at Hayli Gubbi has eased, but monitoring continues. Authorities are now focused on supporting affected communities and coordinating with aviation officials as flight operations begin returning to normal