Icelandic Volcanic Dust I see from the BBC news bullitins that volcanic dust from an eruption in Iceland is drifting over the UK and disrupting flights from most UK airports

Where the volcanic dust settles I think it will be quite healthy for our plants BB. In areas where they have volcanios the surrounding area is quite fertile. Don't worry unless you have breathing problems, as it could start off an asthma attack; saying that I'd better keep an eye on my daughter.

You will probably have to clean your car!

I think I would be more concerned about health issues than gardens....:o)

No Dylan, I know my priorities - plants, plants and then plants again :-).

Point taken...:o)

Does explain why the car looks so dusty though - and I was right no point in washing lol!

dam im a t work god if i were out there id be oot with me buckets picking up this ash with all its nutrients aghhhhhhhhhh

Well it isn't falling thickly enough to be visible.

50,000 feet up I understand but 'they' havn't said about it coming to earth. supposed to be over europe this eve ? but will it come down or continue on i wonder

The Little Ice Age of Dickensian times was caused by an Icelandic Volcano eruption.

So next winter isn't going to be any milder, then? :-(

I wouldn't worry, the next rain will wash everything off. I live on an island formed by volanic action, and every so often about 1 mile to the west, there is an undersea volcano that bubbles. 2 islands over had the last big blow, and it only affected the immediate area, which is still barren.

There does seem to be one benefit to this cloud grounding aircraft. Every year the military hold a big, international war games exercise over the north of Scotland including many war planes based at Kinloss, about four miles away. Normally it can be extremely noisey but I have just realised that I haven't heard an aeroplane since yesterday evening, hooray!!!!

You're right - I hadn't noticed but it is blissfully quiet...

It's possible we won't notice any ash anyway - its high up being carried along on the jet stream, or so they said on the radio a while ago, but high enough to get into aeroplane engines, which is why all the airports are shut, including Heathrow, till 6pm tonight. Doesn't bode well for a good summer though...

I feel for the poor people of Iceland who had to evacuate their homes. I'm sure airport closures and ash in our atmosphere is the last thing on their minds.

Strangely, their airports are still open - the wind's taking the ash in the other direction, away from the airports.
And Great, re your asthma worries, so far no sign of it causing trouble, it's not low enough nor falling over us - that may, or may not change, advice is for asthma and people with breathing troubles to keep listening to the radio.

Thank Bamboo x

omg i have asma 2 ,and hayfever but dont stop me going in the garden lol . car was very dusty this morn tho, but my hubby works nights at m/c airport . o well we allways have to have a crisis dont we. but have u noticed haw many earth qaukes there r lately .

I think the crisis is in Iceland..:o(

Cristina, the ash is 20,000 feet up in the air, and not falling to earth, so unless you're going sky diving, there's no chance of breathing it in, lol

I agree Dylan - the crisis is in Iceland

Its not big enough to have any bearing on the summer or winter weather this year, its smaller than the ones in the past that may have affected the weather.

It is still ongoing though, of course

I think we have lost the point here. People are being forced to evacuate their homes in Iceland while we are worrying how it will affect us and the weather here.

I totally agree Dylan... Let's get this in perspective!

my daughter was there when it re errupted [got a text at 2pm telling me they might not get home]but thankfully they got back home ahead of the dust cloud. Had too pick her up at 2.am. She had a fantastic view of it punching up through the clouds as they were in the air. Hoping she took photos of it. Best Geography trip of her life.

Expect some fantastic sunsets over the next few months. when Krakatoa went off the dust in the atmosphere resulted in spectacular sunsets etc. and was recoreded by many artists of the day.

I agree dylan the icelanders are having it tough.

I give up!

No dont give up Dylan dog. My daughter was genuinely excited about the power of nature but equally amazed at the kindness the Icelanders showed to what was a bunch of very scared teenagers. Despite the dangers many are going about their business as they have always done. The guides they had took extra care to explain to the kids what they were to do etc. The Captain of the aircraft pointed out the 'ash punching through the cloud' and explained all the problems it would cause, though he didnt say the engines could stall until they landed at Heathrow. Her trip was designed to look at a geothermally active island so for it to 'perform' was pertinent and probably a once in a life time event for her. They had also been in and on one of the great glaciers and to the growing rift between the great north & south plates.
we have to accept nature in all her forms. afterall in china two plates have crunched together just as iceland is 'tearing' apart. It is human nature too, to wonder how events will affect us personally so I can understand the concerns for those who suffer from respiratory problems. The ash will come down eventually, wether it is a problem for us here is another matter.

mention this morning on R4 that Lerwick have a yellow haze whichmay be ash in the air