Seriousness UK flights grounded by Icelandic volcano

HarryT · 04-15-2010, 02:45 AM

Many flights into and out of the UK today are being grounded due to meteorologists forecasting that a large cloud of ash from a volcano that's errupting in Iceland will drift across Britain today. Not exactly the typical reason for flights to be cancelled around here!

Sparrow · 04-15-2010, 03:35 AM

Good news that no-one in Iceland was harmed by the eruption.

A BA flight had a narrow escape in 1982 after flying through an ash cloud.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_9

HarryT · 04-15-2010, 04:02 AM

I'm visiting Iceland in a few weeks. Nice of them to lay on a volcano for me!

GeoffC · 04-15-2010, 05:01 AM

The location of the eruption is not far from where the Laki eruption occurred in 1783 ...

HarryT · 04-15-2010, 06:42 AM

Latest news is that the whole of UK airspace is to close from midday to 6pm (BST). Flights are also being disrupted in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

GeoffC · 04-15-2010, 06:51 AM

Latest news is that it has affected the electioneering ....

Bilbo1967 · 04-15-2010, 07:28 AM

Well, I'm in Germany and was due to fly to UK at 6:30 this evening. I have been told that all flights to the UK are cancelled for all of today. I have booked a hotel and a flight at 6:30 tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed it'll be OK by then!

Sparrow · 04-15-2010, 07:30 AM

We might get an interesting sunset tonight.

GeoffC · 04-15-2010, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

We might get an interesting sunset tonight.

that's what we're hoping for, too ....

poohbear_nc · 04-15-2010, 08:30 AM

I was in Washington when Mount St. Helens erupted - it was NOT fun - living with volcanic ash in the air and on the ground! My condolences for the Icelandic people impacted by any ash fall, and any other sites that experience it.

GeoffC · 04-15-2010, 08:34 AM

"Live Text" on the ash clouds ...

BBC web - link

HarryT · 04-15-2010, 08:49 AM

Interesting that this is apparently the first time ever that all flights into and out of the UK have been grounded!

GeoffC · 04-15-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Interesting that this is apparently the first time ever that all flights into and out of the UK have been grounded!

I was surprised about that, too .... wonder what would happen if an air ambulance was required ?
helicopters may be able to fly under the plume, and possibly prop-aircraft ...

poohbear_nc · 04-15-2010, 08:52 AM

It would depend on the ash size and density - clogging the engine intakes, etc.
After Mount St. Helens erupted, air flight was grounded, and driving was "brake & shake" - you had to stop and whack your air filter to clear it of the ash about every half mile - so even auto traffic was prohibited except police & ambulance.

HarryT · 04-15-2010, 08:53 AM

RAF search and rescue helicopters are still flying, apparently. There's a report on the BBC News site that they acted as an air-ambulance this morning in London. Civilian air ambulance helicopters are all grounded.

04-15-2010, 02:45 AM	#1
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	UK flights grounded by Icelandic volcano Many flights into and out of the UK today are being grounded due to meteorologists forecasting that a large cloud of ash from a volcano that's errupting in Iceland will drift across Britain today. Not exactly the typical reason for flights to be cancelled around here!

04-15-2010, 06:42 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Latest news is that the whole of UK airspace is to close from midday to 6pm (BST). Flights are also being disrupted in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Last edited by HarryT; 04-15-2010 at 06:45 AM.

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04-15-2010, 03:35 AM	#2
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	Good news that no-one in Iceland was harmed by the eruption. A BA flight had a narrow escape in 1982 after flying through an ash cloud. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_9

04-15-2010, 04:02 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'm visiting Iceland in a few weeks. Nice of them to lay on a volcano for me!

04-15-2010, 05:01 AM	#4
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	The location of the eruption is not far from where the Laki eruption occurred in 1783 ...

04-15-2010, 06:51 AM	#6
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Latest news is that it has affected the electioneering ....

04-15-2010, 07:28 AM	#7
Bilbo1967 Not scared! Posts: 13,424 Karma: 81011643 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midlands, UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10, Huawei M5 10	Well, I'm in Germany and was due to fly to UK at 6:30 this evening. I have been told that all flights to the UK are cancelled for all of today. I have booked a hotel and a flight at 6:30 tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed it'll be OK by then!

04-15-2010, 07:30 AM	#8
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	We might get an interesting sunset tonight.

04-15-2010, 08:30 AM	#10
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,890 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	I was in Washington when Mount St. Helens erupted - it was NOT fun - living with volcanic ash in the air and on the ground! My condolences for the Icelandic people impacted by any ash fall, and any other sites that experience it.

04-15-2010, 08:34 AM	#11
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	"Live Text" on the ash clouds ... BBC web - link

04-15-2010, 08:49 AM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Interesting that this is apparently the first time ever that all flights into and out of the UK have been grounded!

04-15-2010, 08:52 AM	#14
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,890 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	It would depend on the ash size and density - clogging the engine intakes, etc. After Mount St. Helens erupted, air flight was grounded, and driving was "brake & shake" - you had to stop and whack your air filter to clear it of the ash about every half mile - so even auto traffic was prohibited except police & ambulance.

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04-15-2010, 08:53 AM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	RAF search and rescue helicopters are still flying, apparently. There's a report on the BBC News site that they acted as an air-ambulance this morning in London. Civilian air ambulance helicopters are all grounded.