Facts for Prelims : UPSC /25 Nov 2025/Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi

A massive ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi, a long-silent volcano that erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, entered India at around 10 pm recently, news agency ANI reported, citing IndiaMetSky Weather.

Why it matters ?

• The ash plume, which was released into the atmosphere during the volcano’s eruption, consists of volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide and small particles of glass and rock, increasing the likelihood of hazy and darker skies than usual and disrupting air traffic.

The big picture

• An explosive burst of activity at the Hayli Gubbi volcano, situated in Ethiopia’s Erta Ale Range, started at about 8:30 am on Sunday.
• While the eruption has stopped now, a large ash plume was moving towards North India at a speed of 100–120 km/h. It is travelling at altitudes between 15,000–25,000 feet up to 45,000 feet.