Posted on 04/16/2010 8:43:42 PM PDT by Steelfish
Iceland volcano from Space: The Dramatic Ash Plume Engulfing Britain and 'Nightmarish Face' Seen From Above [Pics in URL] CLAIRE BATES 16th April 2010
Created deep in the volcanic bowels of Iceland, this is the dramatic plume of ash engulfing the UK as seen from space. The hazy cloud spewing from the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano was captured by the Modis instrument on board Nasa's Terra and Aqua satellites, which view the entire Earth's surface once every two days. Modis was designed to respond rapidly so it can track natural disasters such as floods and forest fires in near real time.
The plume from the Icelandic volcano - seen as a grey-brown streak drifting across the middle of the image - is visible from space. It was imaged by the Modis instruments on two Nasa satellites as it blew towards the Shetland Islands In this natural-colour image taken yesterday, we can see the volcanic plume moving south-easterly from southern Iceland. It blows past the Faroe Islands and arcs slightly towards the north near the Shetland Islands. The tan hue indicates a fairly high ash content.
The spread of volcanic ash prompted authorities in the UK, Ireland, France, and Scandinavia to close airspace over their countries. The airspace closure had a ripple effect, disrupting flights all over the world. Unlike the soft, fluffy material that results from burned vegetation, volcanic ash consists of tiny jagged particles of rock. (snip)
It is not known how long the airspace closures will last because it depends on how long the volcano continues to erupt as well as wind direction. The scream: A radar image shows the crater of Eyjafjallajokull in southeast Iceland, which looks like the nightmarish face painted by Edvard Munch
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Tried that on Sept 14, 2001. Would have taken me from a few blocks from where I was stuck to a few blocks from my home. Unfortunately, I would have been getting on in the middle of the voyage and getting off in the same country and I guess there was some law saying that was not allowed.
I’m in LOndon too and while they say the ash is no threat, my nasal passages and throat are irritated and I can smell something. It is so weird. We are leaving Monday for Scotland and hope we can get home from there but it is looking very dicey, like we won’t get home for a while. But I love it here, weather is great so it is okay with me.
Start flying piston powered planes and problem solved!
“If y’all lay Erkel?”
My DH is in Poland right now and he can smell the volcanic sulphur smell from there.
I am at my Club in London is relative comfort, and very reasonable rate, too. Just a block away from the Hard Rock on Piccadilly, runs £69 a night (with breakfast).
There really is no threat from the ash, other than the smell and possible irritation. I, as a former fighter pilot, have flown through volcanic ash before and no great shakes, it just smells a little like sulfur to me and pits the paint.
Get passengers to sign a waiver for the “health” concern (Asama and such) and let's launch the fleet.
What a good deal. I am at the Cavendish at some hideous price I don’t look at.
My throat and nose are irritated, I am coughing and can smell the ash, I swear my nose smells ash way before anybody else does.
We are going out today for the day. It is nice weather even with volcano!
I come to London all the time, on a board of directors for an organization, so the thrill of a London visit is long gone.
Thing is, all I have is a suite and a change of shirt because the trip was supposed to be short. Kind of hard to relax while dressed for business. See you around town. Are you over with your family? My saint of a wife is back in DC and going nuts watching after the cats and her mother.
I read that WHO says that as the dust settles down to the ground (if it does) you are going to have to protect your lungs. I am praying that nasty ash floats high right over you.
Thanks, much.
I am not concerned as the ash is pretty darned thin here in south UK.
Satellite shots indicate that Spain is ash free. If I were you I would rent a vehicle, along with others in the same situation as yourself, and sharing driving start heading south. Yes, that means going through the Chunnel. And don’t delay! This situation is unpredictable if history is a guide.
This volcano has been known to erupt for as long as two years. In the 18th century, one eruption’s ash output was so great that the following summer never happened - Europe faced famine because it was too cold to grow food!
That's what I keep wondering about people stuck in god foresaken Europe...how the heck are they ever going to afford it?? With hotel and food it's got to be a minimum of $400 a day for two.
I asked about that and was told that there is some law that prohibits using cruise ships as transport from point A-point B because it conflicted with airline travel. Cruise ships only *cruise*, they cannot *transport*.
“...there is some law that prohibits using cruise ships as transport from point A-point B because it conflicted with airline travel...”
Good God!
I pray that some governments realize just how stupid that law is in this situation and get it suspended temporarily.
Would be a good plan, but European airspace is closed, too.
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Thanks for the ping.
WOW.
WHAT AN ORDEAL!
PLEASE ping me when it’s over with your update.
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