|
Credit & Copyright: SigurÏur Stefnisson
Explanation:
Why did a picturesque
volcanic eruption in Iceland create so much ash?
Although the large
ash
plume was not unparalleled in its abundance, its location was particularly
noticeable because it drifted across such well-populated areas.
The
EyjafjallajÆkull
volcano in southern Iceland began
erupting
on 2010 March 20,
with a second eruption starting under the center of a small glacier on 2010 April 14.
Neither eruption was unusually powerful.
The second eruption, however, melted a large amount of
glacial ice
which then cooled and fragmented
lava into gritty
glass particles that were carried up with the
rising volcanic plume.
Pictured
here
during the second eruption,
lightning bolts illuminate
ash pouring out of the
EyjafjallajÆkull volcano.
Follow APOD on:
Instagram,
Facebook,
Reddit, or
Twitter
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: volcano
Publications with words: volcano
See also: