From the BBC:
The ash cloud from the Icelandic volcanic eruption is captured on a satellite image as it approached the UK.
The pink-coloured drifting ash, in the top left of the picture, was taken by Nasa’s Terra satellite on Monday afternoon and has been published by Dundee University’s Satellite Receiving Station.
The white cloud sitting over north west Scotland is a low pressure system which has brought high winds and heavy rain to many areas of Britain.
The winds are coming from a north-westerly direction, blowing anti-clockwise round the low pressure system, drawing the ash plume from the volcano towards the northern half of Britain.
From Jon Gustafsson on 21st May 2011:
Haven’t really had time to watch the video. Volcano season keeps me pretty busy. I cut it on board the helicopter on the way back from the eruption. Threw some music from the fantastic composer Veigar Margeirsson (veigar.com) on it and posted it here.
It took us 90 minutes to fly to Grimsvotn with a strong wind against us. The eruption looked magnificent in the sunset. Once we landed 5 miles away from the crater the cold glacier air hit us like a truck. We tried to work outside but I only lasted for a couple of minutes. Pilot Reynir Petursson also didn’t want to stay on the ground for too long since it was very windy and the ash fall was unpredictable. The light was also disappearing and he needs visual reference which is difficult on a white glacier. Once we got off the ground again we had to stay low because there were so many lightnings all around the eruption. Getting hit by a lightning in that strong wind, extreme frost and next to a live volcano was not desirable. We made it back to Reykjavik at 2am. Now the airspace has been closed in a 20 nautical miles radius because of ash.
Volcanic Eruption in Grimsvotn, Iceland May 21 2011 from Jon Gustafsson on Vimeo.
THe power of the planet never ceases to amaze me Cherie
It is wonderful and fascinating
I was just thinking the same thing, that nature is amazing!! This is as I was doing my post from Cornwall and a coastal walk, and thinking of all the beauty, and then at the same time thinking of all the damage nature can do as well, such as the tornados. Either way, as you say it is amazing!
It is such a long time since I have been to Cornwall, I love the rugged coastline there. Cliff top walks provide superb views
It is, indeed.
The swirling cloud looks like a giant cinnamon roll (with icing, of course!)
It also reminds me of a question mark
I remember this all too well from last year, Cherie, because it delayed my flight to Atlanta by a few days and cost me an extra $800 for my return back to The Netherlands. UGH. I guess I shouldn’t complain, right?!
I feel sorry for the people who have had to miss their flights. It is awful being delayed after you have looked forward to something.
Yes – truly amazing! Love the abstractness of that first image. Awe-some!!!
I love those aerial photographs of the earth, they are always fascinating to me.