Because I love pleasing everyone, it may be relevant to note that Katla, another subglacial volcano, has always erupted when Eyjafjallajökull has, and with much more length and intensity, and locals are predicting it may do so within the next week. (Also, maps here. (FLX means Flight Level X, or X*100 feet.))
Further (to respond to a few at once), I understand that the ash turns into the molten glass-like stuff in engines because of the extreme heat and pressure, in the same way that sand does. As well, the direction of the winds has been pretty constant, with the ash flowing southeast towards Norway, then south towards northern Europe, then both west and east, with the east branch then going south and the west branch both going north east and further west (now near Newfoundland). From what I can gather, it's just following the natural air currents, which, mind you, are different at different altitudes. Lastly, the UK is sending the navy (3 boats, including an aircraft carrier) to Spain to pick up Britons who it says should fly to Spain (still ash-free) to get home. And there are occasional crossings of the Mediterranean, to such places as Tunisia and from Greece (to Israel and Cyprus and sometimes elsewhere).
And agree about the high speed train stuff, although France is apparently not so lucky, what with some train workers on strike (quelle surprise!). God we need HSR!
Further (to respond to a few at once), I understand that the ash turns into the molten glass-like stuff in engines because of the extreme heat and pressure, in the same way that sand does. As well, the direction of the winds has been pretty constant, with the ash flowing southeast towards Norway, then south towards northern Europe, then both west and east, with the east branch then going south and the west branch both going north east and further west (now near Newfoundland). From what I can gather, it's just following the natural air currents, which, mind you, are different at different altitudes. Lastly, the UK is sending the navy (3 boats, including an aircraft carrier) to Spain to pick up Britons who it says should fly to Spain (still ash-free) to get home. And there are occasional crossings of the Mediterranean, to such places as Tunisia and from Greece (to Israel and Cyprus and sometimes elsewhere).
And agree about the high speed train stuff, although France is apparently not so lucky, what with some train workers on strike (quelle surprise!). God we need HSR!
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