Will the Icelandic volcano disrupt air travel in the UK? (Merged)

TPL · 14/04/10 - 22:19

Take a look at this map, it shows the volcanic plume from the volcano Eyjafjallajokull.

http://www.ruv.is/sites/default/files/skjol/oskuspa.jpg

If i recall volcanic dust can wreck aircraft engines and was responsible for a British Airways plane was having to glide with no engines at all.

Any thoughts or further info?

Edit: It appears to have caused the precautionary closure of airspace over Norway. http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=16568&ew_0_a_id=360735

[Deleted User] · 14/04/10 - 22:32

My uncle's there at the moment on hols with my cousins son :eek:

Note to self... ring Auntie Kath tomorrow see they're ok

I'm a teensy bit jealous.... went to Iceland a couple of years ago and it was fab. How cool would it be to see a volcano erupting first hand??

5th Horseman · 14/04/10 - 22:51

Should produce some amazing sunrises and sunsets though.

[Deleted User] · 14/04/10 - 22:57

I'm going to sound like a complete n00b for asking, but what do the lines on those maps represent? There's one that crosses over the UK.

TPL · 14/04/10 - 23:14

summerain wrote: »

I'm going to sound like a complete n00b for asking, but what do the lines on those maps represent? There's one that crosses over the UK.

They represent the forecast for the volcanic ash clouds spread.

The number represent Flight Level in 100s of feet (120 = 12000ft). SFC represents surface or that the base of the cloud is unknown.

http://volcanism.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/how-to-read-a-volcanic-ash-advisory/

[Deleted User] · 14/04/10 - 23:19

TPL wrote: »

They represent the forecast for the volcanic ash clouds spread.

The number represent Flight Level in 100s of feet (120 = 12000ft). SFC represent surface or that the base of the cloud is unknown.

http://volcanism.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/how-to-read-a-volcanic-ash-advisory/

I see, thank you

it is fascinating, but technical things tend to go straight over my head!

TPL · 14/04/10 - 23:21

summerain wrote: »

I see, thank you it is fascinating, but technical things tend to go straight over my head!

Don't worry about it, i had to look it up to be sure i was interpreting it right myself.

orchover · 14/04/10 - 23:25

It seems there might be some problems tomorrow:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7591760/Icelandic-volcanic-ash-heading-for-Britain-expected-to-delay-flights.html

TPL · 15/04/10 - 00:25

http://www.aberdeenairport.com/

Giving a warning.

hellsTinkerbell · 15/04/10 - 00:29

5th Horseman wrote: »

Should produce some amazing sunrises and sunsets though.

Havent you noticed there has been some amazing sunrises and sunsets recently?

[Deleted User] · 15/04/10 - 00:55

^^ I haven't noticed myself but I live down in a valley so I don't get to see the full sunset, It should get better as more ash gets closer to us down here in the south east.

hellsTinkerbell · 15/04/10 - 01:18

rickymallory wrote: »

^^ I haven't noticed myself but I live down in a valley so I don't get to see the full sunset, It should get better as more ash gets closer to us down here in the south east.

Im in Scotland so i know there is a difference in light levels but the weather here has been very nice and as i said the sunrises and sunsets have been superb for this time of year.
Especially the sunsets.

carnoch04 · 15/04/10 - 06:15

All flights from Scottish airports have been suspended!

Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports closed.

irishguy · 15/04/10 - 06:50

lots others have their traffic distrupted.

glad im not flying today - sounds awful.

still, there should be some spectactular skies this evening.

yikes - every airport in Northern Ireland is shut too!

!!11oneone · 15/04/10 - 07:03

Most of Gatwick cancelled. I got up a 2.15am

Inspiration · 15/04/10 - 07:09

Can people actually see this clowd?

nessyfencer · 15/04/10 - 07:16

Wow, this is a bit surreal. I had no idea until a few moments ago.

!!11oneone · 15/04/10 - 07:21

I think all you'd see it the sky being more grey than usual. Which is a shame, if flights are off due to a volcano I demand a sky full of burning black clouds of doom!

cathh70 · 15/04/10 - 07:38

I've only just heard about this, my OH is (potentially) stuck in Scotland, due to fly back to East Midlands tomorrow. How long will this go on for?

[Deleted User] · 15/04/10 - 07:39

The way Sky is reporting it, you'd think the world was ending. Which it isn't. Might make for a lovely sunset tonight though.

nessyfencer · 15/04/10 - 07:43

cathh70 wrote: »

I've only just heard about this, my OH is (potentially) stuck in Scotland, due to fly back to East Midlands tomorrow. How long will this go on for?

Erm... we do have roads up here you know. lol.

[Deleted User] · 15/04/10 - 07:51

cathh70 wrote: »

I've only just heard about this, my OH is (potentially) stuck in Scotland, due to fly back to East Midlands tomorrow. How long will this go on for?

Well "Experts say it could take days to disperse".

So might be a few days, probably be better to get the train.

Glen · 15/04/10 - 08:29

Keyser Soze wrote: »

The way Sky is reporting it, you'd think the world was ending. Which it isn't. Might make for a lovely sunset tonight though.

That fat idiot is jumping up and down like we are all going to die. They even had a caption saying "ash threat", no it isn't a threat to anyone, it is 6km above us, it is merely a disruption to air travel.

LincsDan32 · 15/04/10 - 08:39

As from 1130am today UK airspace is closed!

System · 15/04/10 - 08:43

I'm glad sky news is talking about it lots, some amazing footage of the volcano! Far preferable to wall to wall politics

Mike_1101 · 15/04/10 - 08:44

I know that volcanic ash can be a danger to aircraft but are these airport closures the result of a "risk assessment", ie "health and safety gone mad" again?

Iceland is a long way from here and I can't believe ash particles big enough to damage aircraft engines, would be carrried this far.

Hey there!

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Will the Icelandic volcano disrupt air travel in the UK? (Merged)

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