In late April, scientists from Denmark’s University of Copenhagen and the University of Iceland in Reykjavik published the findings of an almost year-long study into last year’s eruption of the Eyjafjallajokul volcano. They concluded that European aviation authorities had been correct to shut down huge sections of airspace for prolonged periods, disrupting journeys for some 10 million passengers and costing the airlines as much as $3.5 billion in losses.
The research team tested volcanic ash particles collected at the most explosive stage of the eruption and compared them to samples from a later, and more typical, eruption. Using several different techniques, including atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, they concluded that the ash from the early, explosive phase of the eruption was extremely fine and powdery. This meant that it stayed airborne at airliner cruise altitudes for longer and, helped by prevailing wind conditions, spread farther than more typical ash, which is generally larger and more granular.
Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.
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