Alaska Volcano Erupts, Disrupts Flights

The Alaska Peninsula saw a volcanic eruption on Sunday that spewed a 37,000 feet high ash cloud cover by the next day. There was no noticeable pre‐volcanic activity that could lead to advanced warning in the region.

The Pavlof Volcano, which has seen around 40 eruptions in the past 250 years, is counted among the most active ones in the Aleutian Arc. Previously, it has seen ash plumes rising as high as 49,000 feet. According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the eruption started rather abruptly during the afternoon hours of Sunday. The volcano, which is located about 600 miles southwest of Anchorage, also caused tremors on the ground.

The aftermath of the volcano was said to look like ash raining from the sky. It should be noted that volcanic ash is known to be harmful for humans, and has the potential to injure the breathing passage, eyes and skin. At the moment, it is difficult to predict how long the eruption will continue.  

The activity also led to the delay and cancellation of 41 flights by Alaska Airlines, which were scheduled to fly to various destinations. Consequently, 3000 passengers were affected and were brought to a standstill. It is being speculated that air travel situation could get worse if the ash channels into the jet stream that is hovering over the volcanic zone.

Volcanic ash cloud can play havoc with the course of flights. In December 1989, a KLM flight, carrying 231 passengers, was disrupted by the eruption of Mount Redoubt. The jet engines of the mid air flight were flamed, and it precariously dropped down two miles, before pilots were able to restart the engines and make a safe landing.  

There has been no report yet of ash falling in any of the residential areas near the scene of the volcanic activity in Alaska.