Hayli Gubbi Volcanic Eruption in Ethiopia

Context

In November 2025, the Hayli Gubbi volcano in northeastern Ethiopia erupted (first eruption in about 12,000 years), releasing a large cloud of volcanic ash and gases which travelled through the atmosphere and entered Indian airspace, affecting flight routes and schedules. The DGCA (India’s aviation safety regulator) issued an emergency advisory to airlines and several flights were cancelled, delayed, or diverted.

What is the Hayli Gubbi Volcanic Eruption?

1. The eruption occurred in Ethiopia’s Afar region, near the Red Sea coast.
2. There was no lava or magma flow.
3. Instead, the eruption released a huge plume (cloud) of volcanic ash, gases, and tiny particles of rocks and glass.
4. These particles rose 15-40 km above the Earth’s surface, carried by strong air currents.

Why the Eruption Matters

1. It is an extremely rare eruption after 12,000 years, making it scientifically significant.
2. The ash cloud entered Indian airspace and caused major disruption in aviation operations.
3. Long-distance airplanes fly at 10-14 km altitude, the same height at which the ash cloud was moving.
4. Volcanic ash can damage jet engines, block visibility and affect flight safety.
5. The DGCA issued an urgent operational advisory to avoid affected air routes and conduct aircraft inspections.
6. The incident shows how natural events in one part of the world can rapidly affect countries far away.
7. It highlights the importance of global volcanic monitoring systems and international coordination.

How the Volcanic Ash Reached India?

1. The eruption pushed fine ash particles and gases into the upper atmosphere (15-40 km).
2. At this height, jet stream winds are very strong and move air rapidly over long distances.
3. The ash plume first moved eastwards from Ethiopia following upper air currents.
4. It passed over Yemen, Oman, and Pakistan.
5. It entered India from Gujarat and Rajasthan.
6. It continued to move towards Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in the southwest – to – northeast direction.
7. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) tracked this movement and informed aviation authorities, helping ensure timely safety action.

Why Volcanic Ash Is Dangerous for Aircraft?

Volcanic ash is extremely dangerous for airplanes because:

1. Ash particles are sharp and abrasive. They can scratch cockpit windshields, reducing visibility.
2. They can clog sensors, filters, and other equipment.
3. Volcanic ash contains silica, which melts inside aircraft engines (at around 1,000°C) and forms molten glass.
4. This molten glass sticks to turbine blades and can lead to engine failure or shutdown.
5. If all engines stop, the aircraft becomes a glider, and pilots must attempt an emergency restart.

Real incidents

1. British Airways (1982): All four engines stopped after hitting volcanic ash in Indonesia. The plane later landed safely.
2. KLM Airlines (1989): Engines failed after flying through ash from Mount Redoubt (Alaska), causing $80 million damage.

What DGCA Ordered?

1. The DGCA instructed all airlines to strictly avoid flying through areas affected by volcanic ash to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers.
2. Airlines were directed to conduct thorough post-flight inspections of engines and aircraft structures, especially for any signs of ash ingestion or surface damage.
3. The DGCA asked airlines to continuously monitor for engine performance issues, unusual vibrations, smoke, odour, or sensor warnings, as these may indicate ash-related malfunction.
4. The regulator advised airlines to delay or cancel flights to airports that are in or near the ash-affected zone if safety conditions deteriorate.
5. Airlines were required to closely track satellite imagery, volcanic ash advisories, meteorological updates, and alerts issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to manage flight routes effectively.
6. The DGCA also instructed that if volcanic ash affects an airport, airport operators must immediately inspect runways, taxiways, and aprons, and restrict or suspend operations until cleaning is completed.

What Happens Next?

1. The impact lasts only a few days because ash disperses quickly in the atmosphere.
2. Rain and clouds wash out particles, reducing concentration.
3. Gases like SO₂ and CO₂ may stay longer, but their levels are not high enough to affect air quality significantly.
4. The system is expected to completely normalise within the next couple of days.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

The Hayli Gubbi eruption shows that natural disasters anywhere can affect global air travel within hours. Strong monitoring systems, international cooperation, and improved aviation preparedness are essential to ensure safety during such rare but high-impact volcanic events.