When a volcano that has slept for nearly 12,000 years suddenly awakens, the world takes notice. That’s exactly what happened in Ethiopia’s Afar region, where the Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted for the first time in recorded history, sending shockwaves across continents and sending ash drifting thousands of kilometres, even reaching some parts of India’s already polluted northern belt.
This rare geological event became a global headline overnight, not only because of its intensity but because of how far its ash travelled, disrupting flights, raising environmental concerns, and leaving scientists scrambling to analyse the unexpected eruption.
Smoke Bursts 14 km into the Sky
Early Sunday morning, residents of the Afar region were startled by a sudden thunder-like roar. Moments later, massive plumes of black and grey smoke shot 14 kilometres into the sky, turning daylight into dusk in nearby villages. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, situated approximately 500 metres above sea level, is located in the highly active Rift Valley, where tectonic plates constantly shift beneath the Earth’s surface. Yet, for thousands of years, it remained silent.
That silence has now been broken.
Eyewitnesses described the eruption as a 'shockwave,' with ash raining down on settlements and the sky glowing faintly from the molten force beneath the surface.
High-Speed Winds Carry Ash Across the Red Sea and Into India
What made this eruption particularly astonishing was the speed and distance at which its ash travelled. Strong upper-level winds blowing at 100-120 km/h lifted the volcanic particles and carried them across the Red Sea, over the Arabian Peninsula, and straight into South Asia.
By late Sunday night, meteorologists reported ash drifting into Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab.
Delhi, already struggling with a toxic haze and severe AQI levels, saw an additional layer of atmospheric disturbance as the volcanic plume entered its airspace.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the ash cloud is expected to drift further toward China before dissipating. Their statement confirmed that high-altitude winds played a crucial role in transporting the plume thousands of kilometres from its source.
Airlines Take Precautions
Volcanic ash is no minor concern in aviation; it can seriously damage aircraft engines, scratch cockpit windows, and compromise air filtration systems. As a result, India’s aviation regulator issued an urgent advisory instructing airlines to avoid ash-affected air routes.
Several major carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, reported delays, rerouting, or cancellations.
Flights cancelled included major routes such as:
- New York-Delhi
- Newark-Delhi
- Doha-Mumbai
- Dubai-Hyderabad
- Dammam-Mumbai
- Chennai-Mumbai
Air India stated it conducted precautionary checks on aircraft that may have flown near the affected air corridors. The airline emphasised that passenger safety remains its highest priority.
IndiGo also reassured travellers that it was closely monitoring the movements of the ash plume in coordination with global aviation bodies.
Will the Ash Affect India’s Air Quality?
Although volcanic ash entering India sounds alarming, weather experts clarified that it is not expected to worsen AQI levels in major cities.
The plume’s composition contains sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and low-to-moderate volcanic ash particles.
While Delhi’s smog remains a serious issue, the volcanic plume’s SO₂ content is more likely to impact elevated terrains such as Nepal, the Himalayan ranges, and the Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh.
Some particles are expected to collide with mountain barriers before drifting further toward China.
According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, the Hayli Gubbi volcano has shown no known eruptions throughout the Holocene era, which began after the last Ice Age.
This eruption provides scientists with a once-in-a-millennium opportunity to study Rift Valley tectonic activity, dormant volcanic systems, intercontinental ash transport, and climate impacts of high-altitude volcanic SO₂.
Local residents described feeling vibrations and hearing a deep rumbling noise moments before the eruption, a reminder of the region’s seismic volatility.
It felt like a bomb had gone off, one resident said, recalling the thick ash cloud that quickly enveloped the area.
A Global Event With Far-Reaching Impact
The sudden awakening of a prehistoric volcano and the ash drifting thousands of kilometres into India is a stark reminder of how interconnected our planet is. What begins in a remote region of Africa can reach South Asia within hours, affecting aviation, visibility, air composition, and scientific discourse worldwide.
This eruption has not only disrupted skies but has also opened the door to critical conversations about climate resilience, geological preparedness, and the unpredictability of natural phenomena, especially those that awaken after thousands of silent years.
Also Read: Peshawar Blast CCTV Shows Shocking Explosion Outside HQ
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Akanksha Sinha
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