An Ethiopian volcano, dormant for nearly 12,000 years, erupted last Sunday (November 23) sending thick smoke and volcanic ash soaring up to 14 kilometers (9 miles) into the sky. The eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in the Afar region of northeastern Ethiopia has affected neighboring villages and posed various challenges for local farmers.
According to information from the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, there have been no known eruptions of this volcano during the Holocene period, which began around the end of the previous ice age approximately 12,000 years ago.
Reports from the Associated Press indicate that villages in the Afdera region of Afar have been covered in volcanic ash. As of now, there have been no reports of casualties. However, officials have stated that local residents are experiencing coughing, and the grasslands and water sources for livestock have been completely covered by volcanic ash.
This event has disrupted air travel. Volcanic ash consists of tiny, abrasive solid particles released into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions. It can damage aircraft engines, contaminate airports, and reduce visibility, posing a threat to flight operations.
The Director of India’s Meteorological Department, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, told the BBC on Monday, “The affected height ranges from 8.5 kilometers (5.2 miles) to 15 kilometers above sea level.”
“This will temporarily affect satellite operations and flight operations. However, it is unlikely to affect weather conditions or air quality. Volcanic ash arrived in northern India last night and appears to be moving towards China,” Mohapatra said.
Indian national carrier, Air India, stated that based on directives from India’s aviation safety regulator, it has canceled 11 flights on Monday and Tuesday, most of which were international flights.
Air India posted on social media platform X that they have canceled several domestic and international flights for “precautionary checks on aircraft that flew over specific geographical locations following the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano.”
Another Indian airline, Akasa Air, has canceled flights to destinations in the Middle East such as Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi over the past two days.
According to the report from the Associated Press quoting an airport official, at least seven international flights scheduled to depart from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi were canceled on Tuesday, with at least 12 flights delayed.
According to information from the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, the volcanic cloud generated by this eruption drifted over Yemen, Oman, and entered Pakistan and India.
Pakistan’s meteorological department issued a warning on Monday night after volcanic ash entered its airspace.