Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption in Ethiopia’s Afar Region
Why in the news
A volcano silent for millennia erupted in northeastern Ethiopia; its ash reached South Asia and upset flights in India.
Key facts
- Site: Afar Triangle, East African Rift System.
- High-altitude ash had little effect on ground-level air.
- Cause: magma from the asthenosphere pushed up by gas pressure (nitrogen and sulphur compounds).
Eruption products
| Material | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lava | Molten rock at the surface |
| Pyroclastic debris | Fragmented rock |
| Volcanic bombs | Large ejected rocks |
| Ash and dust | Fine wind-borne particles |
Impacts
- Good: view of Earth’s interior, geothermal energy, brief cooling.
- Bad: air pollution, acid rain, quakes, loss of life and property.
Exam angle
- Other eruptions cited: Sabancaya, Ruang, Kilauea, Etna.