A long-inactive volcano in northern Ethiopia has unexpectedly erupted, sending massive plumes of volcanic ash and dust high into the atmosphere and triggering international flight disruptions across India and the United Arab Emirates.
The eruption took place on Sunday in the Afar region, one of the country’s most geologically active areas along the East African Rift Valley.
While no casualties have been reported, authorities warn that the full impact of the eruption is still unfolding.
Ash Clouds Spread Across Continents
Meteorological agencies say the ash plume rose high enough to enter upper-level winds, allowing it to drift thousands of kilometres from East Africa to South Asia and the Gulf region.
The result:
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Multiple flights were delayed or rerouted in India
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Airlines in the UAE issued warnings and adjusted flight paths
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Regional aviation authorities are monitoring the movement of ash layers
Volcanic ash poses a severe danger to aircraft engines, prompting air-traffic controllers to modify routes until visibility and air quality stabilize.
Local Communities in Afar Face New Hardships
Back in Ethiopia, the immediate concern is the safety and livelihood of communities living near the eruption site.
Local government officials told reporters they are particularly worried about:
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Livestock health, as ash can contaminate grazing areas and water sources
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Respiratory risks for people and animals
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Damage to farmland
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Possible displacement if eruptions continue
Afar is already home to some of Ethiopia’s most vulnerable pastoralist communities, many of whom have faced repeated droughts, extreme heat, and conflict in recent years.
The surprise eruption adds another layer of hardship.
A Rare Eruption in a Volatile Region
The volcano — long considered inactive — sits on one of the world’s most dynamic tectonic zones. Scientists believe magma movement beneath the East African Rift occasionally triggers sudden eruptions, even from volcanoes that have been dormant for decades.
Experts are currently assessing whether this eruption signals:
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a short-lived release of pressure
or -
a potential return to more sustained volcanic activity
Monitoring teams have been deployed to the region.
Global Ripple Effects From a Local Event
What began as a geological event in northern Ethiopia quickly turned into a global aviation concern — a reminder of how interconnected the world is.
From families in Afar guarding their herds to pilots thousands of kilometres away navigating ash clouds, the eruption has created a ripple effect impacting people far beyond Ethiopia’s borders.
Authorities are urging calm, but they also warn that ash movement may continue to influence regional air travel in the coming days.
Original East will keep tracking updates as scientists and local officials monitor the volcano and its impact on communities
