Ethiopia Volcano Q/A: A massive ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano travelled over 4,500 km and reached parts of western and northern India on Monday night.
The Ethiopian volcano ash plume, carried by strong high-altitude winds, first entered Gujarat and then moved towards Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab before drifting toward the Himalayan region.
Experts say the ash is traveling very high in the atmosphere and is unlikely to cause a major rise in Delhi’s pollution levels. However, temporary haziness and a slight dimming of sunlight may be noticed.
Aviation, however, has been affected, with multiple flights delayed or rerouted due to safety precautions.
10 simple questions and answers related to Ethiopian Volcano ash:
Q: What caused the Ethiopian Volcano ash cloud to form?
A: The ash cloud formed after the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted for the first time in over 10,000 years, releasing volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and fine rock particles.
Q: How did the Ethiopian Volcano ash cloud travel 4,500 km to India?
A: Strong high-level winds carried the Ethiopian volcano ash from Ethiopia across the Red Sea, then towards Yemen and Oman, and further over the Arabian Sea until it entered western India.
These winds blow at 100–120 km/h at altitudes of 15,000- 45,000 ft.
Q: When did the Ethiopian Volcano ash cloud reach Delhi?
A: The Ethiopian volcano ash plume entered India late Monday evening and reached Delhi around 11 pm.
Q: Will it increase pollution or worsen AQI in Delhi-NCR?
A: Experts and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) say the Ethiopian volcano ash cloud is at a very high altitude and will not significantly affect surface-level AQI.
Cities will continue to face their usual pollution unrelated to the ash cloud.
Q: Can Ethiopian volcanic ash cause temporary spikes in pollution?
A: Yes, according to experts, Ethiopian volcano ash particles could increase in pollution levels as they pass overhead, though no major health threat is expected.
Q: Will people notice any visible changes?
A: Residents may see:
- Hazy or dim skies
- Slightly darker evenings
- Very low chances of ash particles settling on surfaces
Q: Is the Ethiopian Volcano ash cloud harmful to health?
A: No, a major threat is not expected because the Ethiopian volcano ash is high in the atmosphere.
Only SO₂ levels may rise slightly in the Himalayan region, Nepal hills, and parts of the Terai belt as the cloud moves into the mountains.
Q: Ethiopia Volcano Eruption, Are flights affected?
A: The DGCA issued an advisory instructing airlines not to fly through affected zones.
Several flights from Delhi, including those to Dubai, Jeddah, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong, were delayed.
Akasa Air cancelled some Middle East flights on November 24–25.
Q: When will the Ethiopian Volcano ash cloud leave India?
A: IMD stated the Ethiopian volcano plume will exit India by evening on Tuesday.
Q: Where will the Ethiopian Volcano ash go next?
A: After crossing Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Punjab, the Ethiopian volcano ash cloud will move over the Himalayan foothills, enter Nepal, and eventually drift into China.
Q: When was the last time a volcano erupted in Ethiopia?
A: The last volcanic eruption in Ethiopia was in April 2024 at the Erta Ale volcano.
Q: What was Ethiopia called in Jesus’ Time?
A: In Jesus’s time, the land referred to as “Ethiopia” in the Bible was the Kingdom of Kush (also known as Nubia).
Q: Which country has no volcanoes?
A: Many countries like Ireland, Finland, Sweden, South Africa, Nigeria, and Qatar.
Q: How many volcanoes are there in India?
A: India has a total of seven to eight known volcanoes.
