Volcanic Activity Thread!

[The PIT]

Okay doke finally a update.

The plume from the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull volcano is still ongoing, reaching hights of 4 to 5 kilometers, occasionally reaching higher altitudes.

The plume drifts with north-westerly winds reaching Europe. It has been detected over Norway, Sweden, northwestern Russia, northern Polland, northern Germany, northern France and southern UK.

There is no indication that the ash from the volcano is decreasing and it is predicted that high-level winds will stay north-westerly today.

Source http://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/2010/nr/1868

[PersianPaladin]

What happened to the aviation situation in the USA after Mt. Saint Helens erupted? Perhaps the current situation here in Europe is exaggerated?

[Costa Del Fal]

Many flights cancelled until 7am Now.

[monkeyuk]

What happened to the aviation situation in the USA after Mt. Saint Helens erupted? Perhaps the current situation here in Europe is exaggerated?

Isn't it all do with how high the ash is? The current ash levels are at about 20,000ft which means that planes would need to fly through it to reach cruising altitudes of approx 35,000ft or to come into land.

Not sure how high the ash got with Mt Saint Helens but maybe it was higher and the planes could fly under the ash? Only guessing!

[PersianPaladin]

Isn't it all do with how high the ash is? The current ash levels are at about 20,000ft which means that planes would need to fly through it to reach cruising altitudes of approx 35,000ft or to come into land.

Not sure how high the ash got with Mt Saint Helens but maybe it was higher and the planes could fly under the ash? Only guessing!

Reading about it now - it turns out that air travel was disrupted for up to 2 weeks.

Mind you, that was a very big eruption.

[The PIT]

The eurption column of st Helens rose too 80,000 ft and yes air flights were suspended.

[Coast]

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Friday April 16, 1445

The cloud of volcanic ash continues to move south through the UK and the eruption in Iceland continues.

Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that restrictions preventing flights in controlled airspace over England and Wales will remain in place until 0700 (UK time) tomorrow, Saturday 17 April, at the earliest. From 1900 (UK time) today ATC restrictions will be lifted in a large part of Scottish airspace including Scottish airports, Shetland, Orkneys and also Northern Ireland.

On this basis, North Atlantic traffic can also operate to/from points in this airspace. Please note these arrangements do not mean that all flights will operate. Anyone hoping to travel today or tomorrow should contact their airline before going to the airport.

We are looking for opportunities when the ash cloud moves sufficient for us to enable some flights to operate under individual coordination with ATC. Some aircraft were able to operate at Manchester this morning, although restrictions are now reapplied to Manchester.

We hope there may be some opportunity from the north into Newcastle after 0100 (UK time) tomorrow - Saturday. We will review further Met Office information and at 2030 (UK time) we will advise further arrangements. In general, the situation is dynamic and subject to change.

We continue to work closely with airports, airlines, and the rest of Europe to understand and mitigate the implications of the volcanic eruption.

www.nats.co.uk

[dogs32]

The UK's Met Office said Eyjafjallajökull was now releasing ash in "pulses" rather than a steady plume, but scientists say it is too early to predict how long the eruption would last. The volcano's last major eruption in 1821 lasted for two years.

Professor Peter Sammonds of University College London's geophysics department said it would be possible to determine the expected duration of the eruption once data is gathered, although conditions around the volcano were currently hampering this

[Paul Sherman]

Having received a few Pm's about Transatlantic flights over the next 10-14 days I am still relatively under-concerned. As we can only go upto 7 days on the Models i suppose things are still subject to change but it's looking like another plume may affect us early into next week but with a Southerly flow from Thursday progged on the Models hopefully the Ash will be well away to the East by the time the 1st StormChase Flights leave over next weekend and early on into the w/b 26th April............he hopes

Paul S

[The PIT]

Having received a few Pm's about Transatlantic flights over the next 10-14 days I am still relatively under-concerned. As we can only go upto 7 days on the Models i suppose things are still subject to change but it's looking like another plume may affect us early into next week but with a Southerly flow from Thursday progged on the Models hopefully the Ash will be well away to the East by the time the 1st StormChase Flights leave over next weekend and early on into the w/b 26th April............he hopes

Paul S

You know now you've said that the northerly will remain in control.

You could always try rowing across the pond.

[Paul Sherman]

You know now you've said that the northerly will remain in control.

You could always try rowing across the pond.

Anyone know someone with a boat

It might be like the Only Fools and Horses Episode

John.........Holland

[Candice]

burst of lightening has been observed over the volcano, it is thought that significant eruption may be occurring - courtesy of @wxchannel on twitter.

[Costa Del Fal]

Someone from the Met Office on the BBC news recently said it is emitting Ash in pulses but the last few hours have recently seen a large pulse of ash with it going upto some 24,000ft i think it was.

[Optimus Prime]

Nice to see the sky is free from the plane trails for the first time in a few years.

[coldfingers]

Nice to see the sky is free from the plane trails for the first time in a few years.

I have seen (and heard) at least 5 low level small planes down here. I am assuming that they are unaffected by flight restrictions then.

[rc28]

http://eldgos.mila.is/eyjafjallajokull-fra-thorolfsfelli/

The plumes in the distance seem to be getting taller - is this a renewed eruption?

[Optimus Prime]

All I can see are clouds?

[rc28]

All I can see are clouds?

I thought they were far cumulus clouds at first too but if you look at the refresh they seem to move (and rise up) too quick for that? This is the direction of the volcano anyway - as this image appeared on websites yesterday when those distant clouds were far darker.

Just to be clear, I'm referring to the billowing clouds in the far distance, not the near small ones that sometimes block the view.

Edited April 16, 2010 by rc28

[stormchaser.co.uk]

My business partner is on his way back from a trade show in Las Vegas.

He was supposed to fly Vegas to Chicago and Chicago to Heathrow.

He made it as far as Chicago yesterday, his flight was rescheduled for today to fly Chicago to Brussels and then Brussels to Heathrow arriving 0900 tomorrow.

Anyhow, thats cancelled. Bearing in mind I phoned American Airlines the second his flight was cancelled the earliest flight he got rebooked on is next Tuesday to Heathrow via Paris.

This really is having a knock on and couldn't have come at a worse time with people travelling at the end of half term.

Fortunately for him he's found a hotel with a bar and met a group of 'refugees' from Birmingham - think thats going to get messy!

[kold weather]

From the sounds of things there may well be a new pluse occuring with this eruption with several reports of possible renewed action occuring...needs to be watched, certainly is turning into a global issue given its shutting down half of Europe at the moment!

Imagine if it had happened in mid December, with all those Greenland highs, there'd be no flights for weeks!

[Evening thunder]

A new eruption would explain why a bit more lightning has been detected over the volcano again today http://andvari.vedur.is/athuganir/eldingar/index.html?

Have been outside at times enjoying the sunshine and plane free skies, and there have been a few low flying aircraft going by here as well today.

[The PIT]

One or two rumours about renewed activity but can't see anything on the web cams.

Anyway clear skies here so will we get a decent sun set????

[NL]

One or two rumours about renewed activity but can't see anything on the web cams.

Anyway clear skies here so will we get a decent sun set????

Hope so.. Yesterday evening the sky cleared but the sunset here was nothing out of the ordinary.

[Snow Queen one]

I can smell the sulphur outside now.

[jamesbhx]

There seems to be a misconception that "All airspace is closed". What is actually happening in laymans terms is that no air traffic control authority is allowed to give a clearence to a pilot which would allow him to depart and enter the airways in the sky. Light aircraft that people have seen buzzing around are essentially unaffected by this as they all remain outside of the UKs airway structure and do not need such a clearance to operate. However, any pilot of a private aircraft who does choose to fly today is a braver man than me, just because you can't see this "cloud" doesn't mean its not there - yes it is at a far lower concentration below 5000ft but is still detectable. The airlines, RAF, Air Ambulances etc aren't just sitting on the ground for a laugh.

As an aside, there is no significant risk to aircraft above 35000ft, the main concentration at the moment being around the 20000-25000ft belt. You could argue why don't flights from outside the risk area fly above 35000ft and thus be clear? The risk being that if they had to descent for whatever reason (be it a medical emergency needing a divert, technial problem etc.) they would enter the main risk area. Hopefully that answers some of the quesions that people may have been wondering!