Volcano erupts for first time in 10,000 years causing flight disruption

Volcano erupts for first time in 10,000 years causing flight disruption Sara Odeen-Isbister Sara Odeen-Isbister Published November 24, 2025 1:59pm Updated November 24, 2025 2:00pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments

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A volcano in Ethiopia, which has remained dormant for around 10,000 years, suddenly erupted sending a massive plume of ash into the air.

The major eruption at Hayli Gubbi volcano, in the northeastern part of the country, happened at around 8.30am UTC on Sunday, according to Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC).

It caused an enormous column of ash that rose rising 9 to 14 kilometers into the atmosphere, before drifting over Yemen and Oman.

According to VAAC, the ash is now moving over northern India.

The organisation has advised pilots avoid flying through the ash, and some airlines, including a number operating out of Mumbai Airport in India, have said there could be delays on domestic and international flights as a result.

A spokesman from Heathrow Airport told Metro its flights do not appear to have been affected, but it would monitor the situation.

Flightradar24.com posted a global flight map on social media last night showing a long strip of red representing the most severe ash, starting in Ethiopia and stretching as far as northern Myanmar and into China.

People watch ash billow from the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region (Picture: AP) The ash reached 9 to 14 kilometers into the air (Picture: AP) A map posted by Flightradar24.com showing a red band where the ash was, prompting VAAC to reroute if necessary Hayli Gubbi sits in northern Ethiopia (Picture: Metro)

The Hayli Gubbi eruption, which was watched by thousands of Ethiopians, has been described as one of the most extraordinary volcanic awakenings in the region’s recorded history.

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Activity continued throughout the day, but has since stopped.

Hayli Gubbi sits to the southeast of the Erta Ale volcanic chain in Ethiopia’s Afar Rift – one of East Africa’s most active volcanic zones and the site of a persistent lava lake.

The volcano, which rises about 500m in altitude, is also located within Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression, among the hottest and most isolated places on the planet.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

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