Watch How Ash and Sulfur from Hayli Gubbi Volcano Crossed India and the Himalayas

A visually stunning animation released by the Earth Observation component of the EU Space Programme illustrates the journey of ash and sulfur dioxide from the eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano as it spread across continents, traveling from Africa to India, and finally reaching China.
The animation, based on data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), showcases the massive plume that originated on November 23, 2025, stretching thousands of kilometers eastward.
Hayli Gubbi, which had been dormant for nearly 12,000 years in Ethiopia’s Afar region, erupted explosively, sending ash clouds soaring up to 45,000 feet and releasing sulfur-rich gases into the stratosphere.
Strong high-altitude winds carried the plume across the Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, Arabian Sea, and into India, impacting regions like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra. Airline operations, including Air India, were affected with flight cancellations due to engine risks posed by fine ash particles and SO2, which can lead to the formation of sulfate aerosols affecting air quality and climate.
The animation portrays the SO2 plume, stretching over 3,700 km in length, traveling at speeds of 100-120 kmph, encountering the Himalayan slopes before continuing its path towards China.
Experts observed minimal impact on ground-level air quality in India, but noticed elevated levels of SO2 in Nepal’s hills and Terai regions. The Director General of IMD, M Mohapatra, confirmed that the skies had cleared by the evening of November 25, with the ash cloud now drifting over China.
Real-time satellite tracking through Copernicus Sentinel-5P and the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre enabled continuous monitoring, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the global environment. While no injuries were reported, the event disrupted livelihoods in Afar and highlighted vulnerabilities in aviation.