Volcanic ash is not like the soft ash left in a fireplace. It is a loose pyroclastic material consisting of lava and other rock, mineral fine particles (< 2 mm in diameter), which are ejected into the atmosphere during a volcanic eruption.
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During an eruption, they can be ejected to heights of several kilometers, where passenger planes fly, and the wind carries them far from the volcano. Some volcanoes emit a lot of volcanic ash, for example, when the Krakatau volcano erupted in 1883, volcanic ash circled the Earth almost twice.
When entering a jet engine, these particles can melt, and in its cooler parts – solidify again and stick to surfaces. This disrupts airflow, the engine can lose power or even stall completely. Volcanic ash also scratches pilots’ cockpit windows, damages the aircraft surface, sensors, and other systems.
The ash cloud is not always easy to spot, especially at night or when it is cloudy. Therefore, its movement is monitored by satellites and other means, and pilots and air traffic control services are informed about dangerous zones. When volcanic ash is detected in the airspace, flight routes are changed, and if necessary, airport operations are temporarily suspended.
However, volcanoes do not only destroy. When magma from the depths of the earth flows to the surface in the form of lava, volcanic rocks, their covers, or even volcanic islands are formed from it. Such rocks are called effusive or extrusive. Over time, as volcanic ash and rocks weather, fertile soils begin to form. Geothermal energy sources and the formation of some mineral deposits are also associated with volcanic processes.
The recent fact also reminds us of the great impact a volcano can have. For example, in 2021, lava flowing on La Palma island flooded settlements and plantations, and upon reaching the Atlantic Ocean, expanded the island’s shore. So the same volcano can stop flights thousands of kilometers away, and at its foot – change the landscape beyond recognition in just a few hours.
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