MONSTER volcanic eruption set to unleash ash cloud misery for millions of air passengers

[RoterTeufel]

MONSTER volcanic eruption set to unleash ash cloud misery for millions of air passengers


 
A MONSTER volcanic eruption is set to trigger ash cloud chaos for millions of travellers.
 
Bogoslof volcano in Alaska has exploded more than thirty times since last December.
 
 And the restless peak is on "red alert" as it continues to shoot ash more than 30,000 feet into the air - forcing pilots to dodge the drifting debris as they navigate the treacherous skies.
 
 The remote volcano is on a tiny island in Alaska's Aleutian archipelago.
 
 It is at the centre of a flight path used by commercial jets carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers between Europe, the USA and Asia every day.
 
 Scientists believe Bogoslof - part of the notorious Pacific Ring of Fire - could go off again at any time.
 
 The red alert warning by the Alaska Volcano Observatory signifies "an eruption is imminent with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere likely".
 
 But the mountain is NOT being monitored by local geophysical networks - meaning experts are unable to accurately predict volcanic activity.
 
 Instead, boffins are relying on off the grid seismic sensors from other neighbouring peaks and using satellite imagery to detect ash cloud movement.
 
 Research geophysicist Chris Waythomas revealed how Bogoslof has the potential to be even more catastrophic because of the volcano is surrounded by water.
 
 And he believes ash clouds could be a regular occurrence this year.
 
 Describing the activity at Bogoslof, Mr Waythomas, who is based at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, explained: "When you make pancakes, and you sprinkle water on your griddle, the water skates around on a film of vapor.
 
 "If you break that vapor film down, and brought the water right into contact with the hot griddle, you'd produce a steam explosion.
 
 "That's basically what's going on with Bogoslof."
 
 And fellow AVO scientist Jeff Freymueller added that there was no way of forecasting how long the volcano would continue to go off.
 
 A team of geophysicists are set to explore the the island to collect samples once the explosions eventually stop.
 
 But on March 8 the AVO reported how an "elevated state of unrest continues" after a monster three-hour blast.
 
 The report said: "Bogoslof volcano remains at a heightened state of unrest and in an unpredictable condition.
 
 "Additional explosions producing high-altitude volcanic clouds could occur at any time.
 
 "The Aviation Colour Code remains at RED and the Volcano Alert Level at WARNING."