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Iceland Volcano's Ash Grounds European Air Travel

Ch_Omega writes "From the article at CBSNews: 'An ash-spewing volcano in Iceland emptied the skies of aircraft across much of northern Europe on Thursday, grounding planes on a scale unseen since the 9/11 terror attacks. British air space shut down, silencing the trans-Atlantic hub of Heathrow and stranding tens of thousands of passengers around the world. Aviation officials said it was not clear when it would be safe enough to fly again and said it was the first time in living memory that an ash cloud had brought one of the world's most congested airspaces to a standstill.'" The BBC says "Safety group Eurocontrol said the problem could persist for 48 hours," and the Deccan Herald describes some of the effects on the ground in the volcano's home turf: "In Iceland, hundreds of people are fleeing rising floodwaters as the volcano under the glacier Eyjafjallajokull erupted yesterday again, for a second time in less than a month."

2 of 283 comments (clear)

  1. Could last a while by mick232 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The last eruption was in 1821 and lasted 2 years... you better get yourself some train tickets if you want to travel in Europe!

  2. Re:Nothing unusual by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is actually untrue. Actual sand is not a problem for a modern jet engine

    Which isn't what the parent said. Did you just want to wheel out your A380 advert anecdote? :) The parent said hot ash turning into molten glass-like substance is a problem for engines. Which you disagreed with, then repeated!