Eyjafjallajokull!

Cosmic Variance
By John Conway
Apr 19, 2010 1:44 AMNov 20, 2019 5:37 AM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Okay, I have tried, but pronouncing this one eludes me...I think it needs a new name. (Simply "Kull" might do.) This eruption, though not the largest volcanic event in recent history, has certainly had a huge impact on air travel. Initially, there were even fears of (I've always wanted to use this word in a sentence) pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicavolcanoconiosis from breathing the silica dust. But the last I heard was that not that much was making it to the ground in high enough concentrations to worry about. The New York Times has some amazing video, relayed from British TV 4, which is absolutely a must-see. It is some of the closest scenes yet, though the video clearly shows some crazies in a helicopter very close to the plume. I want to see night shots, with the lightning! Will they resume flights soon? I guess it's too early to say, but what if it keeps spewing for a long time, like it did from 1821-1823? (After which nearby Katla went off.) Could it disrupt the climate? I am going to guess that this is a possibility, given that Mt. Pinatubo's eruption in 1991 cooled the planet by a fraction of a degree.

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 LabX Media Group