Icelandic volcano

[Pinedawg]

The Mayans say it's all over in 2012. The last time this volcano erupted was in 1821 and it lasted for over a year. There is no sign of it slowing down at this point.

Europe's air travel in on the fritz. Farmers are already complaining about the ash covering pastures there. It's not even been a week. If this thing spews ash like this for a year, Europe will surely go into a tailspin. They are talking about a 2500 person layoff at the airports already. Couple that with their farming operations going south and you are going to see a major trickle down effect. Could get interesting in a couple weeks or so.

[SRD]

The mayans dont say its over in 2012 their calendar just ends then. I cant even imagine the impact on europe if that last for 1 year that would be nuts.

[fmfdocsci]

I would anticipate some cooler temperatures and increased rain this year due to the ash in the atmosphere.

Sort of sucks here in the NE as we have been pounded by snow and rain this year.

I wouldn't call trans-atlantic flight suspension the end of the world as essential bulk commodoties are not shipped that way.

[gsh341]

Originally Posted by fmfdocglock

I would anticipate some cooler temperatures and increased rain this year due to the ash in the atmosphere.

Sort of sucks here in the NE as we have been pounded by snow and rain this year.

Loks like AGW might have a real problem then, doesn't it?

[Cromulent Frog]

My wife's trip to England got cancelled because of the ash. I'm just glad it was cancelled before she got there. People looking to get home should start looking for travel by ship.

If this goes on for even a month it's going to be a major problem. Hope it settles down soon.

[Bultx1215]

Looks like ships are going to be the only travel if this continues. Funny how one little event can change everything for a loooong time.

[Radio Relay]

Being downwind of Yellowstone, and the Cascades, volcanoes are my only concern for long term natural/weather events effecting my life. Yellowstone is not such a major concern (even though it's closer to me), but the volcanoes in the Cascade mountain range are. I was living in the Portland area for a little over a year after Mt St. Hellens blew. It was still letting off steam and ash, and I could watch the eruptions from my office window in downtown Portland.

About two years after St. Hellens blew, I also went over and visited the blast site at the ranger station on Spirit Lake. The devastation was huge and amazing.

When Mt Hood, or Mt. Ranier take their turn and blow, the Pacific Northwest is going to see some definite SHTF. There are other volcanoes in the Cascades that will cause trouble too, but with the same kind of eruption that St Hellens had, Hood and Ranier could quickly devastate large population centers. It's one reason why I won't live there.

Also, the loss of Portland, or Seattle-Tacoma, or both would be a major hit on the entire U.S. in many ways, including economically.

[ForTehNguyen]

it could be overblown for the cancelled flights deal, some test flights went thru and they didnt find any engine damage. But they are still banning flights

interesting:
How an Icelandic volcano helped spark the French Revolution | World news | The Guardian

[Reverenddel]

Maybe this will spark a revolution in Europe against the socialist guv'mints. Think about it. You put all your eggs in that "socialist basket", and it comes up empty again, and again...

You eventually STOP putting your faith in the guv'mint, and have to learn for yourself what works.

Agreed with the comment that a lil' ash changes an entire transportation network. Ship may be the way to travel soon!

[aeromarv]

Originally Posted by SRD

The mayans dont say its over in 2012 their calendar just ends then. I cant even imagine the impact on europe if that last for 1 year that would be nuts.

Yup. One particular calendar comes to an end. The Mayans say nothing of the end of the world. If anything, they reference the end of a Cycle or an Age. It signals a transition, not the end of time.

This volcano seems to be steady going with no signs of slowing. I see reports saying history shows when this one goes off, the neighboring volcano a few miles away generally erupts with even more power. Will be interesting to see how this plays out. We might have to get used to shipping goods and travelling by boat again! Or at least ferry product into and out of europe either from russia, some parts of asia, or fly them into northern africa and steam from there on ships.