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Deep under the ice of Iceland's Vatnajokull glacier, pressure began to build. Flows of liquid rock pushed against the earth's solid crust, churning hot and dangerous in the subterranean dark. Finally, the ground shook, shivered and cracked. Jets of red-hot gas and rock burst through the icecap, launching plumes of steam and ash miles into the darkening sky.
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This thick dust will hang in the atmosphere for days. In parts of Iceland, it has blocked out the sun, and turned the rain black.
It has also put an immediate stop to air travel around the island. Jet engines are vulnerable to dust and, as the cloud spreads, a growing area of crucial transatlantic airspace is ruled off-limits to civilian aircraft.
In Europe, the cry is 'not again!' Last year, a different Icelandic volcano shut down air travel for days at the peak Easter holiday season. Millions were left stranded.
n This new dust cloud could reach Spain and France by Thursday, and althoughn meteorologistsn hope that this latest eruption won't cause the same chaos, the prospect is worrying for Europe's fragile economies. Last year's eruption cost billions of pounds in lost business.n n n So why does Iceland keep producing these devastating volcanoes? The answer lies deep under the earth's surface, where huge continentaln platesn are drifting slowly apart, carried by circulating currents ofn magma.n n n Iceland sits right across the gap where the plates are separating - where Earth'sn crustn tears itself apart allowing liquid rock to flow up to the surface. n Sometimes, these events are deadly. In 1783, the Laki volcano filled the sky with sulphuric acid after an eruption. Deadly clouds destroyed crops, killed animals, and blocked out the sun leading to a freezing winter in which 9,000 Icelanders starved to death. n n n Holy smoke n In a way, it's not such an absurd belief. At the dawn of Earth's history, volcanic eruptions created the conditions for life to evolve. n n Volcanoes may also bring humanity's story to an end. The so-called 'supervolcano' at Yellowstone in America will one day explode with the force of 1.5 millionn Hiroshiman bombs, turning the skies red and sending the earth into a new, devastating ice-age.n " BBC News
reports on the Grimsvotn eruption. The world's seven deadliest volcanoes, from
Good Magazine. A brilliant video introduction to volcanoes from
National Geographic. Another video from the same source explains why Iceland is called the 'land of fire and ice'. A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.
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n That leads to some spectacular volcanic events. In 1963, for instance, an eruption created a whole new island off Iceland's coast, as moltenn lavan in the sea hardened into solid rock.n
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n Volcanoes can create as well as destroy. Humans have often clustered on the fertile land around volcanic vents, despite the dangers. In ancient times, some volcanoes were worshipped as gods.n Expert Links
Q & A
n So why does Iceland keep producing these devastating volcanoes? The answer lies deep under the earth's surface, where huge continentaln platesn are drifting slowly apart, carried by circulating currents ofn magma.n n n Iceland sits right across the gap where the plates are separating - where Earth'sn crustn tears itself apart allowing liquid rock to flow up to the surface. n Sometimes, these events are deadly. In 1783, the Laki volcano filled the sky with sulphuric acid after an eruption. Deadly clouds destroyed crops, killed animals, and blocked out the sun leading to a freezing winter in which 9,000 Icelanders starved to death. n n n Holy smoke n In a way, it's not such an absurd belief. At the dawn of Earth's history, volcanic eruptions created the conditions for life to evolve. n n Volcanoes may also bring humanity's story to an end. The so-called 'supervolcano' at Yellowstone in America will one day explode with the force of 1.5 millionn Hiroshiman bombs, turning the skies red and sending the earth into a new, devastating ice-age.n " BBC News
reports on the Grimsvotn eruption. The world's seven deadliest volcanoes, from
Good Magazine. A brilliant video introduction to volcanoes from
National Geographic. Another video from the same source explains why Iceland is called the 'land of fire and ice'. A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.
n
n That leads to some spectacular volcanic events. In 1963, for instance, an eruption created a whole new island off Iceland's coast, as moltenn lavan in the sea hardened into solid rock.n
n
n Volcanoes can create as well as destroy. Humans have often clustered on the fertile land around volcanic vents, despite the dangers. In ancient times, some volcanoes were worshipped as gods.n Expert Links
Q & A
n Iceland sits right across the gap where the plates are separating - where Earth'sn crustn tears itself apart allowing liquid rock to flow up to the surface. n Sometimes, these events are deadly. In 1783, the Laki volcano filled the sky with sulphuric acid after an eruption. Deadly clouds destroyed crops, killed animals, and blocked out the sun leading to a freezing winter in which 9,000 Icelanders starved to death. n n n Holy smoke n In a way, it's not such an absurd belief. At the dawn of Earth's history, volcanic eruptions created the conditions for life to evolve. n n Volcanoes may also bring humanity's story to an end. The so-called 'supervolcano' at Yellowstone in America will one day explode with the force of 1.5 millionn Hiroshiman bombs, turning the skies red and sending the earth into a new, devastating ice-age.n " BBC News
reports on the Grimsvotn eruption. The world's seven deadliest volcanoes, from
Good Magazine. A brilliant video introduction to volcanoes from
National Geographic. Another video from the same source explains why Iceland is called the 'land of fire and ice'. A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.
n
n That leads to some spectacular volcanic events. In 1963, for instance, an eruption created a whole new island off Iceland's coast, as moltenn lavan in the sea hardened into solid rock.n
n
n Volcanoes can create as well as destroy. Humans have often clustered on the fertile land around volcanic vents, despite the dangers. In ancient times, some volcanoes were worshipped as gods.n Expert Links
Q & A
Sometimes, these events are deadly. In 1783, the Laki volcano filled the sky with sulphuric acid after an eruption. Deadly clouds destroyed crops, killed animals, and blocked out the sun leading to a freezing winter in which 9,000 Icelanders starved to death.
n n Holy smoke n In a way, it's not such an absurd belief. At the dawn of Earth's history, volcanic eruptions created the conditions for life to evolve. n n Volcanoes may also bring humanity's story to an end. The so-called 'supervolcano' at Yellowstone in America will one day explode with the force of 1.5 millionn Hiroshiman bombs, turning the skies red and sending the earth into a new, devastating ice-age.n " BBC News
reports on the Grimsvotn eruption. The world's seven deadliest volcanoes, from
Good Magazine. A brilliant video introduction to volcanoes from
National Geographic. Another video from the same source explains why Iceland is called the 'land of fire and ice'. A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.
n
n Volcanoes can create as well as destroy. Humans have often clustered on the fertile land around volcanic vents, despite the dangers. In ancient times, some volcanoes were worshipped as gods.n Expert Links
Q & A
In a way, it's not such an absurd belief. At the dawn of Earth's history, volcanic eruptions created the conditions for life to evolve.
Q & A
n Volcanoes may also bring humanity's story to an end. The so-called 'supervolcano' at Yellowstone in America will one day explode with the force of 1.5 millionn Hiroshiman bombs, turning the skies red and sending the earth into a new, devastating ice-age.n " BBC News
reports on the Grimsvotn eruption. The world's seven deadliest volcanoes, from
Good Magazine. A brilliant video introduction to volcanoes from
National Geographic. Another video from the same source explains why Iceland is called the 'land of fire and ice'. A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.Expert Links
Q & A
"
BBC News
reports on the Grimsvotn eruption. The world's seven deadliest volcanoes, from
Good Magazine. A brilliant video introduction to volcanoes from
National Geographic. Another video from the same source explains why Iceland is called the 'land of fire and ice'. A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.Q & A
The world's seven deadliest volcanoes, from
Good Magazine. A brilliant video introduction to volcanoes from
National Geographic. Another video from the same source explains why Iceland is called the 'land of fire and ice'. A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.Q & A
A brilliant video introduction to volcanoes from
National Geographic. Another video from the same source explains why Iceland is called the 'land of fire and ice'. A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.Q & A
Another video from the same source explains why Iceland is called the 'land of fire and ice'. A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.Q & A
A short introduction to plate tectonics. It is tectonic plates that make Iceland so dangerously explosive. Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.Q & A
Did humans really once worship volcanoes?: Yes. In fact, the word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god Vulcan, who was believed to live in Mount Etna in Sicily. And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.
And how dangerous are volcanoes really?: Very. Volcanoes are often dormant for decades, or even centuries, so humans gather round them to farm the fertile soil. But volcanoes can erupt with little warning, killing thousands. But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.
But lava flows are pretty obvious. How hard can it be to just get out of the way?: It's not lava that does most of the killing. Far more deadly is ash, which spreads from volcanoes in huge clouds. It can suffocate people and crush buildings. Fast moving mudslides, caused by melting snow and ice, are also big killers. Also clouds of poisonous gas. Overall, if a volcano starts going, you need to get out of the way, and fast.