Ash clouds threaten air traffic
Nice-but-dim
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My kids in Iceland with a school party hve been urgently called to the airport - two Icelandair flights operating to GLA this afternoon, showing on both departures at Keflavic and arrivals at GLA... Fingers crossed!
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from BBC news site
More information about the three flights due to depart from Manchester Airport between 1200 and 1300 BST: The first is a Thomson flight to Barbados, followed by two Thomas Cook departures to Vancouver in Canada, and Cancun in Mexico. The planes are departing empty because there is no time to load passengers in the hour available, but they are due to bring back stranded holidaymakers.
Last edited by Twitcher; 16th Apr 2010 at 11:29. Reason: missing letters!
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Eyjafjallajökull and its neighbour, Katla - further risks
Only three previous eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull are known in the last 1100 years!!
In fact Eyjafjallajökull did not erupt for the last 190 years.
The most recent eruption began in December 1821 and lasted intermittently for more than a year.
Eyjafjallajökull is considered by scientists a precursor of Katla's activity, Katla is the more dangerous one, larger and more powerful.
The neighbouring volcano Katla in fact punctually erupted then on 26 June 1823, around 19 months later.
These two volcanoes are historically linked and an eruption of Eyjafjallajökull normally triggers Katla.
Scientists know the danger, but there is very little we can do about powerful volcanoes.
An eruption of Katla in between now and 2012 is therefore likely
.What Katla could do:
"Iceland's Laki volcano erupted in 1783, freeing gases that turned into smog. The smog floated across the Jet Stream, changing weather patterns. Many died from gas poisoning in the British Isles. Crop production fell in western Europe. Famine spread. "
Is it going to be Earth's revenge against humans?
Hopefully all the above is just fiction.
From BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland says
Helicopter flies through ash in Shetland rescue
A rescue helicopter was flown through clouds of volcano ash to help a woman on Shetland who was in a "life or death" situation.
The woman was seriously ill in the Out Skerries, and it was feared ferry travel may take too long.
The Shetland Coastguard helicopter crew decided to fly through not only ash, but low visibility caused by rain and mist on Friday morning.
The casualty was taken to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.
Martin Sykes, watch manager at Shetland Coastguard, said: "After discussions with ambulance control we realised that this was a life or death situation with a casualty in a very serious condition.
"The helicopter crew made the difficult decision to fly through the clouds of ash, mist, and rain in a bid to save the woman who is now receiving treatment in hospital."
He added: "After every operational trip the helicopter is given a thorough clean thereby removing any debris that has built up."
A rescue helicopter was flown through clouds of volcano ash to help a woman on Shetland who was in a "life or death" situation.
The woman was seriously ill in the Out Skerries, and it was feared ferry travel may take too long.
The Shetland Coastguard helicopter crew decided to fly through not only ash, but low visibility caused by rain and mist on Friday morning.
The casualty was taken to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.
Martin Sykes, watch manager at Shetland Coastguard, said: "After discussions with ambulance control we realised that this was a life or death situation with a casualty in a very serious condition.
"The helicopter crew made the difficult decision to fly through the clouds of ash, mist, and rain in a bid to save the woman who is now receiving treatment in hospital."
He added: "After every operational trip the helicopter is given a thorough clean thereby removing any debris that has built up."
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For nerdy (in a good way) discussion about what's going on at the volcano, I like this Threat of Icelandic ash closes airspace over Europe : Eruptions
thread - current "action" is in the comments section - at the eruptions blog (Eruptions)
thread - current "action" is in the comments section - at the eruptions blog (Eruptions)
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Is the cancellation of air travel 'an act of God' - or merely a decision of NATS?
The answer could have implications for the reimbursement of costs incurred by would-be travellers (and maybe the airlines, too . . . ).
The answer could have implications for the reimbursement of costs incurred by would-be travellers (and maybe the airlines, too . . . ).
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FYI pictures issued by Fnnish air force showing ash on a F18 Hornet motor after flying in volcanic dust.
Hornetien moottorit tuhkassa - katso ilmavoimien kuvat | Uutiset | Iltalehti.fi
Hornetien moottorit tuhkassa - katso ilmavoimien kuvat | Uutiset | Iltalehti.fi
Last edited by luoto; 16th Apr 2010 at 11:51. Reason: typo added word "motor"
Is there any realistic outlook/"scientific guess" yet when we will be able to return to normal ops? Who could afford this for days, a week or even longer?
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How long can this go on.
So the volcano may keep going for days, weeks, months or years.
The issue of course is the ash being blown over northern Europe.
Are these the normal winds though, direction and speed, at the appropriate altitude? Will a change in wind direction alleviate the problem?
Are we/Europe getting the ash just because of the large stationary high-pressure zone in the area?
The issue of course is the ash being blown over northern Europe.
Are these the normal winds though, direction and speed, at the appropriate altitude? Will a change in wind direction alleviate the problem?
Are we/Europe getting the ash just because of the large stationary high-pressure zone in the area?
Reference the aspect of NATS closing the airspace, I wonder whether they have been leaned on by Gordon Brown (who you will recall made a freudian slip about "saving the world") and Co.
With an election looming how popular (if that's possible) would the current government be if the Dept of Transport issued an edict to close the airspace?
They might lose a few more votes!
With an election looming how popular (if that's possible) would the current government be if the Dept of Transport issued an edict to close the airspace?
They might lose a few more votes!
There is a long explanation of the eruption here.
Anatomy of an Icelandic volcano
Apparently Icelandic volcanoes tend to stop spewing ash quite quickly - but this does not seem likely with this eruption.
Its going to keep disrupting air travel for quite some time.
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It might be worth noting that according to the 'Association of British Insurers' there is no such thing as an 'Act of God' and insurers have been warned not to use the term. There is, however, a term known 'exceptional circumstances' apparently.
I pass it on FWIW.
I pass it on FWIW.
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Testing the plume
Atmospheric research currently being carried out - does anyone have any info on the results of yesterday's tests yet?
BBC News - Gloucestershire research team flies to volcanic plume
BBC News - Gloucestershire research team flies to volcanic plume
I suspect that the dust cloud will actually waft around Europe for a few weeks but the airspace will nevertheless open within days due to commercial and political pressure, with the dangers of the ash being gradually downplayed to levels commensurate with normal operational risk in volcanic regions. Possible?
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From the Beeb:-
UK Transport Secretary Lord Adonis predicts that "significant disruption to most UK air services will continue for at least the next 48 hours".
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Of course the problem the authorities have now is how to backtrack without losing face when it becomes clear that the air travel situation cannot continue and some degree of normality must be resumed.
I still believe they over reacted, of course we cant fly through volcanic ash, as professional pilots we all know this and dont need it explaining to us.
However whereas the obvious restrictions should be put in place, following this blanket closure of everything how will the governments spin this one??
One watches with interest.
Incidentally I dont know who it was who found dust on their car in London, but I live in Kent and the only dust around here is on my gym kit.
I still believe they over reacted, of course we cant fly through volcanic ash, as professional pilots we all know this and dont need it explaining to us.
However whereas the obvious restrictions should be put in place, following this blanket closure of everything how will the governments spin this one??
One watches with interest.
Incidentally I dont know who it was who found dust on their car in London, but I live in Kent and the only dust around here is on my gym kit.