Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption: Detailed Report

Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption: Detailed Report

1. The Eruption Event: Hayli Gubbi

• Volcano: Hayli Gubbi, a little-known shield volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar Region (part of the geologically active Rift Valley).

• Activity: The volcano erupted explosively on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at approximately 08:30 UTC (1:30 PM IST).

• Significance: This is the volcano’s first recorded activity in an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 years, making it an extraordinary geological event.

• Plume Size: The eruption sent a huge column of ash and Sulfur Dioxide ($SO_2$) soaring up to 10 km to 15 km (around 33,000–49,000 feet) into the atmosphere.

• Status: The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) confirmed that the explosive eruption has stopped, but a large, residual ash plume is drifting at high altitudes.

• Local Impact (Ethiopia): The nearby village of Afdera was reportedly covered in ash, and a local resident described the event as feeling “like a sudden bomb had been thrown with smoke and ash.”

2. Hayli Gubbi Ash Cloud Trajectory and Impact on India (Current: Tuesday, Nov 25)

The high-altitude ash cloud traveled rapidly, at an estimated speed of 100–130 km/h.

3. Aviation Disruption and Warnings

The ash plume poses a severe danger to aircraft. Volcanic ash contains fine, abrasive particles of glass and rock which can melt in hot jet engines and re-solidify on turbine blades, leading to engine stall or failure.

• DGCA Advisory: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advisory to all Indian carriers, mandating the strict avoidance of ash-affected areas and flight levels.

• Airline Cancellations/Diversions:

  • Air India cancelled multiple domestic and international flights for Monday and Tuesday (including routes to/from New York, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata) as a precaution.

  • Akasa Air cancelled all flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi for November 24th and 25th.

  • IndiGo diverted its Kannur-Abu Dhabi flight to Ahmedabad on Monday and cancelled other services to affected Gulf regions.

  • KLM cancelled its Amsterdam-Delhi and return flights.

• Airport Alert: Airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, were put on high alert and instructed to inspect runways for any ash contamination and to suspend operations if required.

4. Health and Ground Impact

• Air Quality: The ash plume is primarily confined to high altitudes (15,000 to 45,000 feet). Experts and the IMD suggest that the risk of significant ashfall on the plains is low.

• Visibility: However, the high-altitude plume may cause the sky to appear darker or hazier than usual over the affected northern regions.

• SO₂ Levels: While the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) may not be significantly impacted, the Sulfur Dioxide content in the plume could potentially affect SO_2levels in the atmosphere, especially in the Himalayan foothills and Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh, where the plume will eventually collide with the mountains.

The situation is being continuously monitored by the Toulouse VAAC, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and the DGCA to ensure safe air travel.