Volcano erupts in Ethiopia after 10,000 years, smoke reaches India, Pg2

Key Highlights:

• The Hayli Gubbi volcano in the Afar region of Ethiopia erupted on Sunday after being dormant for over 10,000 years.
• Ash plumes reached up to 14 km into the sky, crossing the Red Sea and reaching parts of India.
• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory to Indian airlines to avoid ash-affected areas.
• An Indigo flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was diverted to Ahmedabad due to the volcanic ash.

Detailed Insights:

• The eruption covered the village of Afdera in dust, impacting local communities in the Afar region.
• Volcanic ash poses a significant threat to aircraft, potentially causing engine damage, fuselage abrasion, and sensor failures.
• The ash clouds entered India via Rajasthan and are expected to drift across northern, eastern, and northeastern regions.
• Aviation authorities worldwide have protocols for rerouting flights to mitigate risks associated with volcanic ash clouds.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Volcanic Ash: Fine particles of pulverized rock and glass erupted from a volcano.
• DGCA: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is the aviation safety regulator in India.