Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, on constant duty to protect the skies from the threat of volcanic ash? Well, they do. And those guys are working pretty long hours today to keep up with a volcanic eruption in Iceland which is causing havoc with European flights. Here is a good map to give you an idea of what is in store for Europe this weekend. The French VAAC also issued an advisory, and we’ll see how far this plume goes over the next few days. Interesting warning: Volcanic ash (by itself) is not poisonous, but inhaling it may cause problems for people whose respiratory system is already compromised by disorders such asasthma or emphysema. The abrasive texture can cause irritation and scratching of the surface of the eyes. People who wear contact lenses should wear glasses during an ashfall, to prevent eye damage.
