Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano erupts after 12,000 years

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in north-eastern Ethiopia erupted on Sunday for the first time in over 12,000 years, before halting on Monday, according to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center.

 The eruption around 10 am local time produced a powerful blast, sending ash over nearby villages and creating one of the largest eruptions in recent years.

Authorities reported no casualties, but the ash cloud could threaten livestock and reduce available grazing land for local farmers. The plume has drifted across the Red Sea and towards Yemen, Oman, India, and China.

The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program noted that Hayli Gubbi has no documented eruptions in the past 12,000 years, though earlier large eruptions may be recorded in the LaMEVE database. The volcano is the southernmost peak in the Erta Ale volcanic range, which includes other active volcanoes such as Dalaffilla.

The eruption caused widespread disruption to aviation. Several flights to and from India, including those operated by Akasa Air, IndiGo, and KLM, were diverted or cancelled due to the ash plume. Akasa Air cancelled flights to Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi, while IndiGo rerouted flights including a Kannur-Abu Dhabi service to Ahmedabad. Air India reported no major disruptions but continues to monitor the situation closely.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory urging airlines to avoid volcanic ash–affected airspace, adjust flight planning, and report any suspected encounters with ash, including engine performance issues or cabin smoke. Airports affected by ash contamination are required to inspect runways and aprons before resuming operations.

The eruption highlights the activity of the Erta Ale volcanic zone in northern Ethiopia, which has previously seen eruptions in Dalaffilla in 2008 and other lava flows between 2005 and 2020.

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