Ethiopia Volcano’s Dormancy Broken; Air Travel Disrupted

A dramatic geological event has unfolded in Ethiopia’s Afar region, as the Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted after a staggering 10,000-year period of inactivity. The eruption on Sunday morning caused immediate disruption, coating the neighboring village of Afdera in volcanic dust. Eyewitness accounts vividly describe the experience as feeling like a “sudden bomb” had detonated, releasing vast quantities of smoke and ash. While thankfully no human or animal casualties have been reported, the economic consequences are a growing worry, with ash burying pasturelands essential for livestock. The eruption’s impact extends to the skies, with a significant ash plume disrupting air travel. Several major airlines, including Akasa Air, IndiGo, and Air India, alongside international carriers, have been compelled to cancel or divert flights to destinations such as Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi, citing the hazardous conditions posed by volcanic ash in the airspace.