I found this article on daily uk online. The current state of the volcanic eruptions in Iceland is pretty serious which might actually affect the entire world in the late future. With this, It made me think about the blessings we are showered with. Omitofot..... is it true about 2012? will humans sit back and rethink about the hectic dog fight life we are living in and slow down for a second to cherish mother nautre more~
Here are some facts that enlightened me >>
How long will the volcano remain active?
The simple answer is: No one knows. The last time Eyjafjallokull erupted, in December 1821, it did so for 13 months. Most eruptions of this type are self-limiting; eventually, the volcano literally runs out of steam.
But eruptions lasting months or even years are not unknown. If it keeps erupting - and the winds keep blowing our way - planes could be grounded for the foreseeable future.
The simple answer is: No one knows. The last time Eyjafjallokull erupted, in December 1821, it did so for 13 months. Most eruptions of this type are self-limiting; eventually, the volcano literally runs out of steam.
But eruptions lasting months or even years are not unknown. If it keeps erupting - and the winds keep blowing our way - planes could be grounded for the foreseeable future.
Why have the effects been so severe?
Although Eyjafjallokull is not particularly large, and this is not a particularly violent eruption, its volcanic fissures lie under a thick slab of glacial ice, and it is the explosive interaction between the 1,500c lava, the pressurised gases it contains, and the ice which has resulted in such a massive column of ash and smoke, stretching 30,000ft
Although Eyjafjallokull is not particularly large, and this is not a particularly violent eruption, its volcanic fissures lie under a thick slab of glacial ice, and it is the explosive interaction between the 1,500c lava, the pressurised gases it contains, and the ice which has resulted in such a massive column of ash and smoke, stretching 30,000ft
Can anything be done about it?
In short, no. We will have to wait for nature to run its course. What's more, after initial hopes that the eruption was easing off, the volcano seems to have found renewed vigour.
The real danger is that the eruption, and the associated earthquakes (about one every 40 seconds), will set off the larger, neighbouring.The last major eruption of Katla, in 1918, was ten times larger than this eruption of Eyjafjallokull. Vulcanologists believe the dust cloud from such an event would stretch 14 miles into the sky and persist for months.
In short, no. We will have to wait for nature to run its course. What's more, after initial hopes that the eruption was easing off, the volcano seems to have found renewed vigour.
The real danger is that the eruption, and the associated earthquakes (about one every 40 seconds), will set off the larger, neighbouring.The last major eruption of Katla, in 1918, was ten times larger than this eruption of Eyjafjallokull. Vulcanologists believe the dust cloud from such an event would stretch 14 miles into the sky and persist for months.
Are they the only ones in trouble?
Around all Britain's airports, firms employ tens of thousands of people to clean, refuel and service the planes, to cook the in-flight meals, man the car parks, drive the taxis, staff the hotels and serve coffee and meals.
A week or two will result in manageable losses; if Britain is still grounded in a month, expect lay-offs and closures. If Eyjafjallokull is still erupting in six months then the effect on one of our most successful industries will be catastrophic. African farmers who rely on air-freighted exports to Europe will be hit hardest of all; in Kenya this weekend 400 tons of flowers had to be destroyed.
Around all Britain's airports, firms employ tens of thousands of people to clean, refuel and service the planes, to cook the in-flight meals, man the car parks, drive the taxis, staff the hotels and serve coffee and meals.
A week or two will result in manageable losses; if Britain is still grounded in a month, expect lay-offs and closures. If Eyjafjallokull is still erupting in six months then the effect on one of our most successful industries will be catastrophic. African farmers who rely on air-freighted exports to Europe will be hit hardest of all; in Kenya this weekend 400 tons of flowers had to be destroyed.
How has the insurance industry reacted?
Badly, according to many of its customers. A million Britons have been stranded abroad, and the holiday plans of millions more are in jeopardy, but many travel insurance firms have refused to compensate them because their policies often state they do not cover natural disasters.
Virgin Money and Greenbee, the financial services arm of the John Lewis Partnership, have said customers will not be able to claim.
Badly, according to many of its customers. A million Britons have been stranded abroad, and the holiday plans of millions more are in jeopardy, but many travel insurance firms have refused to compensate them because their policies often state they do not cover natural disasters.
Virgin Money and Greenbee, the financial services arm of the John Lewis Partnership, have said customers will not be able to claim.
What about food supplies?
Imports of foreign foods such as Kenyan beans and mangetout, Thai mangoes, Tanzanian flowers, Israeli fruit and so on will cease as long as the flight ban continues.
What other effects are there?
The worlds of sport, academia and big business have all been affected by the flight ban.
The organisers of next weekend's London Marathon are looking into the logistics of getting the elite runners to Britain overland.
Many university lecturers are stranded abroad ahead of the summer term and Cambridge University has already postponed its oral language exams due to take place this week because so many academics and students may not be able to get home.
And hundreds of schools across the country could also be forced to cancel crucial GCSEs and A-levels as the ash cloud prevents pupils returning home to take them.
The worlds of sport, academia and big business have all been affected by the flight ban.
The organisers of next weekend's London Marathon are looking into the logistics of getting the elite runners to Britain overland.
Many university lecturers are stranded abroad ahead of the summer term and Cambridge University has already postponed its oral language exams due to take place this week because so many academics and students may not be able to get home.
And hundreds of schools across the country could also be forced to cancel crucial GCSEs and A-levels as the ash cloud prevents pupils returning home to take them.
