Life on Earth against Volcanic Eruptions:

[Volcanic Eruption]

The disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe in April, 2010 caused by eruptions due to a series of major volcanic events at Eyjafiallajokull in Iceland. The spreading cloud of smoke from ongoing eruption beginning on April 14, 2010 led to widespread disruption of air travel in Europe from 15 April, grounding planes and affecting the travel plans of millions of passengers worldwide. The dangers of smoke in air space across more than 20 European countries remained largely closed as of April 20. However Icelandic Meteorological Office published a study report on December 2009 indicated an increase in seismic activity around Eyjallajokull area during the years 2006-2009.

[Danger of Katla Eruption]

The measurement at the epicenter in the volcano indicated that the seismic activity continued to increase in the area from 3^rd March onwards. Scientists fear the eruptions at Eyjafiallajokull could trigger an even more dangerous eruption at the nearby Katla volcano, creating a worst- case scenario for the airline industry and travelers around the globe. If so happens, a Katla eruption would be 10 times stronger and shoot higher and larger plumes of ash into the air than the present one as is seen earlier. The two volcanoes are side by side in Southern Iceland, about 20 km apart and assumed to be connected by a network of magma channels. Katla also typically awakens every 80 years or so. It last exploded in 1918 and now its next explosion is slightly overdue. The earlier events reminded that such notion is frightening for nearby villagers, who would have to quickly evacuate to avoid the flash floods that would rip down Katla’s slopes. Even last week’s eruption generated spectacular lava that causes explosions producing huge quantity of ash to shoot into high altitudes and strong wind carried it on over Europe.

[A sigh of Relief]

Flights across Europe had been suspended for fear of damaging flight engine by ash in the sky. The ash that was produced from the volcano under the Eyjafjllajoekull glacier could turn into a glassy substance inside jet engines, causing a threat of normal functioning of the engine. Since the beginning of the airport closures last Thursday, 8^th April, 2010, three million passengers had their flights cancelled, as reported by the German airport associations. The Sunday, the 11^th April, 2010, was the peak of the shutdown when 80 percent of flights in Europe failed to take off. The ban has cost its members $1.7 billion. At last Thursday, the 22^nd April, 2010, air travel across Europe is set to normalize bringing a sigh of relief to all travelers. The last remaining flight bans were lifted, ending an unprecedented closure of European airspace. Travelers were relived not only from constant worry and anxiety but also for unnecessary extra expenses. Most ordinary travelers have been left out of pocket by the crisis, compelled to pay for extra hotel bills, fresh air tickets or alternative transport as they faced the threat of volcanic ash.

Volcanic activities in Iceland:

 Iceland is one of the most active volcanic countries of the world. In the climate of volcanic eruption the country was settled to a state of stability in the 9^th century A.D. Even then on average there is an eruption every fifth year. All type of volcanic activity that is found in the world, is also found in Iceland, the most common being fissure eruptions. The most spectacular one was the 30 km-long row of craters along with more than 100 separate craters that erupted in 1783. The lava flow from this eruption covering 565 square km was the largest record till now in the world. The gases and ash produced from this eruption had poisoned the grasslands, causing a tremendous havoc to the adjacent residents. It was recorded that the damage to the farmland brought widespread famine to Iceland resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands through starvation. The volcano Katla, hidden beneath the ice of Myrdalsjokull, has erupted more than 13 times since the stability of Iceland, the last in 1918. The most dramatic volcanic eruption recently occurred in January 1973 when the entire population of some 5300 was evacuated to a safe area of mainland in a matter of hours. This is how the people live in the area.

Volcano in Japan:

Japan is a “rim of fire” in the part of Pacific that has more than 100 active volcanoes and is regularly subject to seismic activity. Mount Asama is an active volcano in Japan. It has shown frequent bouts of volcanic activity over recent years. The most famous eruption came in 1783 causing the deaths of more than 1,500 people along with widespread damage. Even then tens of thousands of people are living near Japan’s volatile Mount Asama. But systems have been developed to evacuate quickly within 48 hours. The volcano last erupted in September 2004 when molten rock and ash blanketed areas more than 125 miles from the crater.

It is a common practice to warn the people of volcanic eruption. Recently Japan’s Meteorological Agency raised an alert of volcanic eruption at 8,420 ft peak of mountain and forbidden anyone to scale the mountain. About 45,000 nearby residents have been put on alert and told to be ready to leave their homes within two hours notice. To prevent local disaster alert broadcast on radio and television are also given and warn people of the danger in addition of giving direction to vehicles towards safe road. 

[The 1783 Volcanic eruption of Japan]

The 1783 eruption began with little activity in May but slowly building up in intensity detonated in early August. The reports revealed that a towering column of ash and smoke blacked out the sky, while loud blasts terrified the local people. Lava overflowed the crater rim and flooded the adjacent sides of the volcano before the out burst of the devastating explosion on August 5, heard almost a distance 200 miles. Four villages were obliterated with the flow of lava causing a flood in the Agatsuma River. This is the life in Japan but Japan’s economy is one of the best in the Earth. The Japanese people have learnt the techniques of surviving in the Earth fighting with the nature of volcano.

To save atmosphere from Green House gases, international conference have already been held in Copenhagen. Will there be an international conference to evaluate the ways and means to save the air space from volcanic ash?