What is volcanic ash?

(picture from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8621992.stm)

If you were planning on traveling to Europe today it looks like that's not going to happen. An erupting volcano in Iceland appears to have thwarted plans of many travelers. The volcano located under a glacier in the Eyafjallajokull region of Iceland erupted emitting volcanic ash. This ash drifted as a high-altitude cloud south to east. Now you may be asking yourself why can't the planes travel, and why is this volcanic ash considered so dangerous?

Volcanic ash is actually made up of small pieces of rock and glass emitted by volcanic eruptions. These materials are very fine particles less then 2 millimeters in diameter. You may ask yourself how do these rocks and glass get so small. Well, you see ash is created when solid rock shatters and magma separates into little bitty particles during explosive volcanic activity. Because eruptions are usually violent, steam that is involved results in the magma and solid rock surrounding the vent being torn into particles of clay to sand size.

How does an eruption in Iceland affect travel all over Europe?

The eruption started Wednesday and sent ash up into the air. The ash cloud continued to rise and spread over Scandinavia and as far north as Great Britain and is likely to spread over the whole island by the end of today. As the plume continues to rise and spread it will loose intensity.

Why can't plans fly through?

If the ash gets into the engines of a plane it can block up the ventilation holes and even stop engines. Also windows become abraded by ash and can't be seen through. So as you can see its pretty dangerous for planes.

soooo... it is pretty crazy to see how things work and how different things are effected by what happens in one place on earth by something in the earth!

Attention Alien Lovers:

The first every multicellular animals found in an oxygen-free environment. No multicellular animal capable of living without oxygen has been discovered in the 236 years since oxygen was identified (http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-04/first-ever-multicellular-animals-found-oxygen-free-environment). Researches have discovered thee new species that life there entire life in an oxygen free pit beneath the Mediterranean Sea. Prior to this discovery the only organisms capable of life in oxygen-free environments were viruses and bacteria. The newly discovered animal species have some sort organelle that resembles a hydrogenosome, a cellular component used by some microbes to produce energy with complex enzymatic reactions. If these strange creatures can live without oxygen there is potential for many other species to be out there.... makes you wonder!

Is breakfast important?

You may ask yourself is it really important to eat breakfast? Researches say yes!! Researchers found people that eat breakfast every day where a third less likely to become obese compared to those that skipped the meal. Of course it depends what you eat for breakfast. If you are eating slabs of bacon and sausage it is not exactly the healthiest options. But a bowl of cereal and some fruit is a perfect option that benefits your health.

So remember.... EAT BREAKFAST!!