The sudden eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia forced the cancellation of more than a dozen flights in India on Tuesday. The affected airlines include Air India, which suspended international and domestic routes due to the advance of the ash cloud.
Aircraft that flew over areas near the volcanic plume are undergoing preventive checks. Air India reported that its ground teams are assisting passengers while flights are being rescheduled.
Akasa, another airline in the country, also suspended flights to Middle Eastern destinations. The official recommendation is to review routes and fuel until atmospheric conditions stabilize.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is monitoring the cloud’s evolution in real-time. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued instructions to adapt flight plans. The goal is to avoid areas where ash can affect engines, sensors, and visibility.
An unexpected eruption that traveled thousands of kilometers
The Hayli Gubbi erupted on Sunday for the first time in over 10,000 years. The ash column reached about 14 kilometers in height before starting to move east and northwest. Its trajectory crossed the Arabian Peninsula and reached Pakistan, northern India, and western parts of China.
Although the eruptive activity has ceased, the ash continues to travel driven by high-altitude currents. In countries like Yemen and Oman, there have been reports of fine material fallout and increased suspended particles. Health authorities have issued alerts for respiratory risks and surface water contamination.
Satellite tracking allows for precise observation of the plume’s movement. This type of monitoring is crucial in regions with low population density, like eastern Ethiopia. Volcanic ash can remain in the atmosphere for days, depending on humidity and wind speed.
An area of intense geological activity that draws attention again
The Hayli Gubbi is located in the Afar Rift, a region where the Earth’s crust is separating. This process generates constant volcanic and geothermal activity, with several active cones and lava lakes. The Erta Ale volcano, near Hayli Gubbi, is one of the most famous for its ongoing activity.
Until now, the Hayli Gubbi was considered a dormant volcano. There were no records of eruptions since the Holocene, over 11,700 years ago. Its reactivation surprised the scientific community, although it did not cause surface damage.
The absence of nearby population reduced the risk of local emergencies. However, the size of the plume highlighted the vulnerability of global air transport. Eruptive events of this type remind us that natural systems can alter air routes and regional dynamics within hours.
Causes that can reactivate a volcano: when the earth awakens again
The reactivation of a dormant volcano can be due to several natural processes. One of the main ones is the ascent of new magma from the mantle to deep chambers. This movement generates internal pressures capable of fracturing rocks and opening conduits to the surface.
Another common cause is the injection of volcanic gases, which increases heat and alters the magma’s composition. These gases can cause internal bubbling and raise pressure until an eruption occurs. Changes in magma chemistry also influence its fluidity and explosiveness.
Tectonic movements are another key factor. In regions like the Afar Rift, where plates separate, fissures are created that facilitate magma ascent. Prior seismic activity is often an early sign of these processes.
Even external variations, such as the entry of groundwater into hot areas, can trigger explosions. The abrupt contact between magma and water generates instant steam, raising pressure. This mechanism is common in volcanoes with deep cracks or active hydrothermal systems.
A global reminder of the interaction between climate, atmosphere, and volcanic activity
The eruption of Hayli Gubbi reopens the debate on the relationship between climate and volcanoes. Ash clouds can alter solar radiation and cause temporary temperature drops. Additionally, they contribute particles that affect air quality thousands of kilometers from the eruptive source.
For aviation, these events represent increasing risks. Engines can fail by ingesting ash, and sensors are damaged by abrasive particles. Therefore, routes are modified even after the eruption has ended.
The current situation reinforces the importance of satellite monitoring and international cooperation. Distant volcanoes do not always impact the surrounding communities, but they do affect the global system. And each eruption is a reminder of the profound dynamism that sustains the planet.
