Icelandic eruption and the weather

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Thought it might be interesting to start a thread on this.
eruption in iceland

It seems to be a fissure eruption and after some reading this afternoon I think it is unlikely at the moment to be putting up large quantities of ash into the atmosphere, this sort of eruption does not seem to be the explosive sort. If it starts to, then we could see some particularly spectacular sunsets.

Worries are though that it might trigger Katla volcano which could be potentially pretty devestating, not only to Iceland but also could affect weather on a global scale. Large eruptions have historically caused global cooling and influenced weather patterns.

hopefully fears end up being unfounded

Can't helicopters fly low enough to be beneath the ash - I thought it was high?

I don't know...I know some air ambulances have been grounded, and that a patient from Scotland had to be flown by Sea King down to London, as other helicopters were not suitabkle in current conditions.

I'm not sure why that would be that case though.

very interesting glacierchick

am puzzled about low flying helicopters but tis Day 1, I expect 'they' are assessing what can and can't be done safely.

Well I am stuck in Singapore airport. Have been here for 4 hours already and am going to be here for another 13 at least. All flights to Europe cancelled. Anyone else at Changi right now?

Lou, denmark is talking about 48 hours at least (and my very very inexpert eyes think longer than that looking at weather over next few days), can you get accommodation sorted just in case that is correct? really feel for you.

OhYou - No accommodation left in Singapore apparantly. Will just MN all night. They are estimating that flights MAY be able to leave after 12pm tomorrow singapore time but I can't see that happening from all the reports I am reading.

perhaps you will be able to get into europe and train it back?
I've started a thread for stuck mners but then found another stranded people one

Waswondering - The pool opens at 9am and for the first time ever I don't have togs. Will go check out the butterfly garden etc and if we are here long enough will do the Singapore tour they have.

Alone so I am lucky in that aspect. Lots of people with small children in the airport. Also thankful that I have a sleeping tablet just in case!

sleeping tablet? cocktails surely?

oddly we just had a bunch of helicopters go by, but behind a tree so couldnt see if they were military.

met office lady on bbc n24 just said there will be some ash fall tonight - stressed it would be a fine layer. will look for details as she also said that plume was at 16,000ft, so a bit lower than met office were saying.

glacierchick - I always did wonder about whether it was true that volcanoes emitted more CO2 than humans. Thanks for clearing that up.

the winds do not look helpful tomorrow looks like they will bring more of the plume over us I'm afraid.

I am wondering what the ash elements are and are they acidic? Will it knock the soil pH?

How I wish I'd paid attention in geography instead of doodling.

Amazing that Iceland's main airport has been able to fly aircraft out - as long as its direction is not with the prevailing wind. Certainly makes us all feel very human and insignificant

GO, possibly acidic - sulphuric compounds involved perhaps (guessing, never had call to research this kind of thing), do you have ph testing kits?

They are now saying 1300 tomorrow for UK airports, at the earliest.

Kitten, while you can't do too much because of your poorly hand, you might find www.pprune.org/rumours-news/412103-ash-clouds-threaten-air-traffic.html interesting to read. There's lots I don't understand because they do talk techy, but there might be stuff/links that would be of interest to you. (And interpret for the rest of us - please?)

I'll have a good look at that, thank you!

am watching debate atm, and hosp trip tomorrow so won't be able to it justice til later tomorrow or Saturday - but I've been looking for some good discussions

I'd completely forgotten about that debate. The solitary good thing about this ash is it knocked the election from the top of the news reports.