Good news on the volcano front

[sharikkamur]

Icelandic volcanoes produce basaltic lavas, which don't tend to produce a lot of ash (relatively speaking). This phase of the eruption, therefore, is likely to calm down reasonably quickly (in days rather than months - see The Icelandic Weather Report for more details). It will, however, still produce some interesting toxic gases, and the entire country has now been told not to venture outside unless absolutely necessary and to wear face masks if they do. I'm not in any immediate danger up here but they are a bit concerned that the winds can change direction rapidly and cannot be predicted accurately. The current weather forecast looks fine for this area.

What fun! :)

EDIT: The warning has now been downgraded to 'only in areas affected by ash'. I look forward to seeing television footage this evening of everyone in the UK wandering round with WWII-style gas mask boxes slung over their shoulders.