to think the ash issue is not going to just blow over.

[Slugbrains]

Flame away as you like but as i see it

the last time this volcano blew it was going to 2 years.

the amount of ash is huge and it is not going to fall out of the sky in 5 mins - even if we have a huge downpour.

this quanitiy of ash and sulfur coming down is going to acidify the rivers and lake and cause issues for reservoit drinking water and the water way ecosystems, and damage buildings.

the wind streams are fical and we are likely to be under ash pathway for a while.

Asmatics who are sulfur sensitive are going to be suffering for a while even after the levels of sulfur in the air reduces.

So ABIU to think that the problems from the ash are going to be long lasting and lingering rather then just blow over after the weekend?

You anbu to prove evidence if you disagree and think i abu

*reservoir

lol at pun
any chance they could suck it all into the Millennium Dome? about time that was put to some use

Just marking my place as this is a really interesting thought (that hadnt even popped into my little head, but now I am intrigued!!)

It may go on a while, but from what I've heard, while this volcano may carry on erupting for a long time, the current explosive ash-spewing stage probably won't be too prolonged.

So my estimation would be more than the weekend, less than 2 years.

yes despite my flippancy i'm interested too, had assumed if it was an issue the powers that be would have whipped us into a panic

I think its potentially more of an issue than they're letting on and they want to keep us calm.

I have one word to say about the powers re the ash and panic. Election. They cant control it, just play it down. Panic wouldn't help their campaigns. Plus it takes valuble air time away from what ever crap they want to talk about.

I had a thought conspiracy theory of my own yesterday

that the Ash cloud is just a cover, there is really a huge alien space craft hovering over the north sea, so we are grounded until we know if they are friendly or not

The government have fudged pictures of ash clouds to make us think it really exsists

Sorry but you are right....

Hadn't thought about it being played down for the elections..but then I am Daisy Brains... Although people panicking makes my teeth itch because then we get total overplayed drama rather than sensible, practical 'what can we do' thoughts.

I feel for Iceland and the Icelandic people.

So YABU to believe its an ash cloud

this is what happens with really,really big clouds but I don't think this is anything like as bad - yet

I was reading that there was big problems in Scotland the last time a significant ash cloud came over. 18something. It is really interesting though.

I think that most of the danger of a volcanic winter comes from the levels of sulphuric gases the volcano pushes up into the upper atmosphere.( i could be wrong)

At the moment there are no indications that this volcano dishcarges anything like enough to cause huge issues, although like Mt St Helens it may have some impact.

I think.

The price of bread will rise and people will start panic buying bottled water!!

they were saying on the news yesterday that the ash stage does generally last for only days rather than longer, and that once the ash plume stops the rest will just dicipate.

Worth bearing in mind that volcanoes do erupt all the time around the world without causing worldwide disasters.

Ooooo, I hope my husband can get home from the Caribbean next week! (Small minded? Moi?)

Given all the ash and chemicals in the air anyway, do you think it would be ok if I lit a cigarette near the park today? (while skulking out of sight, obviously)

Wow Northern - scarey stuff...

I've got news 24 on from Didcot and the soldiers are arriving home from Afghanistan....how have they got back does anyone know?

I guess ianbu then

SOrry portblack I dont know but do know that the ash is particularly bad for jet engines. would it be possible for no jet engined transport to get through? Something like the big helicopter transport things that scare the bejebers outs of you when they come over head. my slug brain wont remember the name but the description should help.

Chinook?

Yes could be by Chinook....Good point.