Ethiopia's Long-Dormant Volcano Erupts After 12,000 Years, Disrupting Flights
Image Source: Internet
A long-awaited volcanic eruption finally occurred at Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano in the Afar region on Sunday, ending a 12,000-year hiatus. Residents described the explosion as a 'shock wave' that sent massive clouds of ash across the Red Sea towards Yemen and Oman. The nearby village of Afdera was left covered in a thick layer of dust and ash, stranding tourists and guides heading to the Danakil desert, a popular tourist destination. Eyewitnesses, including Ahmed Abdela, described the scene as 'like a sudden bomb had been thrown, with smoke and ash.' Videos shared on social media showed a towering column of white smoke rising from the volcano. While the authenticity of these videos could not be independently verified, experts confirmed that Hayli Gubbi has not had a recorded eruption in the past 12,000 years, dating back to the end of the last Ice Age. The volcanic ash from the eruption has also disrupted flight operations, with airlines such as Air India and Akasa Air cancelling flights to precautionary checks on aircraft that had flown over affected areas.
