New Delhi: In a rare geological event, volcanic ash from a massive eruption in Ethiopia—occurring after an astonishing 12,000-year dormancy—has travelled nearly 4,500 kilometres to reach India’s capital, Delhi. The eruption took place on November 23 in the Afar region when the Haile Gubi volcano suddenly burst to life, sending a towering plume of ash 14 km into the sky. Scientists say there is no known record of such an eruption during the Holocene era.
Here’s a detailed look at the event, followed by five major questions that explain how the ash travelled so far and what it means for India.
The Sleeping Giant: What Is Haile Gubi?
Haile Gubi is a shield volcano located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, part of the Erta Ale volcanic chain. The region, often called “the Hell of Earth”, sits within the East African Rift Valley—a zone where Earth’s tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. On November 23, at around 2 pm IST, the volcano erupted after millennia of inactivity, ejecting a massive ash plume laden with sulphur dioxide.
Hours before the eruption, a 4.7-magnitude earthquake shook the region. Scientists believe a 50 km-long magma dam beneath the Erta Ale system ruptured due to rising pressure from a geological “super plume”—a vast, expanding column of hot magma deep inside the Earth.
Nearby villages such as Afdera experienced ashfall, though no deaths were reported. Concern remains for livestock and grazing grounds, while several tourists were briefly stranded in the Danakil Desert. The ash cloud drifted across the Red Sea to Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, and Northern India. Several flights were cancelled in India, and aviation regulators warned airlines about potential engine damage due to volcanic ash.
Five Key Questions — Answered
1. How did volcanic ash travel 4,500 km to Delhi?
The primary reason is the presence of powerful atmospheric jet streams.
When Haile Gubi erupted, fine ash particles shot 14 km upward into the stratosphere—an altitude where jet stream winds blow west to east at 100–130 km/h. The ash cloud crossed the Red Sea into Yemen and Oman, entered Pakistan’s airspace, and moved into Rajasthan before spreading over Delhi by late November 24. Satellite data from the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre confirmed ash movement at elevations between 15,000 and 45,000 feet. Without these high-speed winds, the ash would have fallen close to the eruption site.
2. Will this ash worsen Delhi’s pollution?
Experts say the impact will be minimal.
Although Delhi’s air quality is already poor due to seasonal smog, the volcanic ash is travelling high in the stratosphere and is unlikely to descend to the surface. IMD officials have clarified that PM2.5 and PM10 levels will not increase significantly from this event. However, the sky may appear hazier, and visibility could drop slightly. Small amounts of SO₂ may interact with clouds to cause rain, which can actually improve surface pollution levels.
3. Why did the volcano erupt after 12,000 years?
The eruption is linked to deep Earth processes.
Haile Gubi sits along the East African Rift, a tectonic zone where the African continent is slowly splitting into two. A long-standing super plume had been building pressure beneath the region. The eruption occurred when a 50 km-long magma barrier ruptured, likely triggered by the earthquake recorded hours earlier. Scientists say such eruptions are part of a continental breakup process that may, over millions of years, create a new ocean basin.
4. What is the impact on local communities and the environment?
Immediate danger is limited, but long-term effects are possible.
Ash can reduce soil fertility due to high silica content, affect grazing lands, and cause breathing issues in animals. Acid rain from SO₂ emissions may damage crops. Several desert roads became slippery, stranding tourists temporarily. Fortunately, the region’s sparse population helped limit human casualties.
5. Can this eruption cause flooding in the Rift Valley? What is the role of the super plume?
There is no direct link between this eruption and flood risks.
The Rift Valley does contain lakes and groundwater systems influenced by tectonic movement. While a super plume can create heat that alters hydrological patterns—melting ice or raising groundwater—this specific eruption is not expected to trigger flooding. Scientists are still studying whether the increased geologic activity may contribute to long-term hydrological changes.
The Haile Gubi eruption is now under close scientific observation as researchers analyze ash samples and track its global atmospheric impact. For Delhi, experts say residents can expect hazy skies but no severe pollution spike. The rare event, however, highlights how interconnected Earth’s geological and atmospheric systems truly are.
