As the volcanic eruption continues in Iceland, the "no fly" zone also continues to expand. About half of all European flights have been grounded, maybe more now.
The ash of course destroys Jet engines and also pits windows thus effectively blinding the pilots!
If this keeps up, and/or the eruption intensifies, all flights in the Northern part of this planet would be grounded.
Per an AP news release that I just received, should this incident continue for two or three days, there will be shortages of food and other items in the affected parts of Europe. The "no fly" area has also been expanded again.
Per a more recent news release, the situation worsens. As the volcano continues to erupt more ash is released into the atmosphere and it is spreading widely across europe. It is causing concern that world leaders will be unable to attend the state funeral for the late Polish leader and his wife. It appears that obama still plans to attend.
Travelers are stranded, hotel accommodations are scarce and train travel is booked to capacity.
We have not had to deal with the ramifications of a major volcanic eruption (Mt. St. Helens was a small one) and this one may curtail our business travel if it continues.
Luckily, my parents' plane landed safely in Spain, but almost all of their tour group has been delayed.
--------------------
Mike F.
May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
I just read that the eruption is getting worse. If this keeps most of the European travel will be by land/sea. I have yet to see a prediction of just how far the ash may spread. I am glad your parents are safe. An extended vacation is nice but there are limits on how long one can stay on vacation. For most of us there are financial constraints. I suppose trip insurance would help.
Here is a live cam of the Volcano erupion in Iceland. More worrisome is this volcano causing an eruption of Katla which has happened everytime this Volcano erupts.
Having lived through this before with our own Mt. St. Helens, I do not remember that we had a no fly zone. I do remember buying airfilters buy the dozen though for the cars and tractors.
--------------------
Hoka Hey! The more Liberals I meet, the more I like my dogs!
For a week or so, there were no flights in the area and there was as you recall a problem with all internal combustion engines and some peoples lungs.
A lot of the ash at Mt. St. Helens fell in the surrounding area as the eruption did not blow the ash as high into the atmosphere. I have not heard how this one rates with the really big ones.
I remember Mt. St. Helens as well. Living hundreds of miles away we were able to collect the ash. I still have some that my mom had saved. I hope things get back to normal as soon as they can. It would be terrible to try and breath. What a mess.
Thanks for pointing that out Celtic Radio. I think this is all so scary. "I can't take it anymore were all going to die " I've been looking around on the web and this Katla is one to be scared of. I don't like living close to Yellowstone either. I heard that Utah had some kind of a quake haven't followed up on that one yet.
Some say it's normal to have all these small quakes I say with what all is happening all over the world is not the norm. Ok, now I get to have nightmares. lol..