Volcano Erupting in Pacific Diverts International Flights

[Ivanova]

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Volcanic eruption in north Pacific forces international flight diversions


SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (AFP) Jan 07, 2005


International aircraft were warned Friday to steer clear of a volcano which has erupted in the north Pacific firing an ash plume 15,000 feet into the air.

The volcano on uninhabited Anatahan Island in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) became active again Tuesday.

"Although the volcano is not currently dangerous to most aircraft within CNMI airspace, conditions may change rapidly, and aircraft should pass upwind of Anatahan or farther than 30 kilometres downwind," the Emergency Management Office (EMO) said in a statement.

EMO director Rudolfo Pua said the size of the plume was getting higher.

"It may become a major eruption, we don't know yet," Pua said.

"We just want airlines to be on alert again."

It is the fourth eruption of Anatahan since it suddenly burst into life in May 2003, sending smoke and ash 30,000 feet into the air.

EMO seismic technician Juan Camacho said three airlines -- Continental Micronesia, Air New Zealand and Japan Airlines -- had confirmed the latest eruption was reaching 15,000 feet.

Under an emergency declaration, Anatahan has been declared off limits to all but scientific expeditions until the end of January.

Anatahan is a 33 square kilometre (13 square miles) island, 128 kilometres (80 miles) north of here and just over 322 kilometres (200 miles) north of Guam. It is around 2,250 kilometres (1,400 miles) south of Tokyo.


http://www.terradaily.com/2005/05010708 ... pvos1.html



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[depotoo]

interesting it is about the same distance from Guam as the submarine was. a coincidence? of a factor maybe?

[Ivanova]

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The volcano on uninhabited Anatahan Island in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) became active again Tuesday.

CNMI = US Commonwealth

[James]

At least it doesn't currently seem to be posing much of a threat to anyone.

[Ivanova]

This reminds me...

I have yet to see a CNN reporter
covering the * miracle survival *
of Diego Garcia


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[Rainband]

At least it doesn't currently seem to be posing much of a threat to anyone.

Galgunggung, Indonesia:
Facts | Story | Feature | Questions
A Fictional Story - Chris' Flight
Chris sat with his mom in the British Airways jet. They were flying to meet Chris' dad in Singapore. Chris had talked his mom into letting him have the window seat. He did not fly very often, and he loved looking out the window.



"We will be flying a little south of our scheduled route." the pilot announced. It should take us a few minutes longer to get to Singapore, but all of you will be able to make your connecting flights!"

Chris looked out the window. He could see a big bank of clouds off to the right of the plane. They were white and glistening in the sun. Occasionally he could see the clouds light up within.



"Wow! Mom, look at those cool clouds. You can see the lightening in them!"


Chris noticed another patch of clouds. These clouds looked different. They were gray like smoke rather than white. Maybe, Chris thought, there is a big forest fire somewhere. Then he noticed these clouds were being lit up by lightning too.

Chris closed his eyes for a few minutes. A loud crash woke him. First, everything in the cabin seemed to light up. Then the cabin lights went off. A strange green light filled the cabin and pointed metal objects seemed to glow. Chris looked out the window. Suddenly, a bright flash lit up the dark cabin as lightning struck the wing of the plane. The cabin lights flickered, then came back on.


"This is the Captain speaking. We ask that you remain seated with your seat belts securely fastened. We flew through a volcanic ash cloud and have lost power in our engines. We are working to restart the engines, but we are losing altitude. Flight attendants, begin emergency water landing briefing."


Chris was hardly listening. What had started as an adventure, had turned very scary. He grabbed his mom's hand.


"Are we going to crash?"

His mom looked worried.


"I think we will be alright, honey. Let's listen to what the flight attendants are saying," she said.

The plane was over ocean, 180 nautical miles from the nearest suitable airport in Jakarta, Indonesia. Without power, they would land in the water in about 18 minutes, perhaps halfway to Jakarta. The plane continued to drop for eight long minutes, loosing 24,000 feet in altitude. Then the Captain's voice came on again.


"I am happy to announce that we have restarted one engine. We hope to restart our other engines, but the plane is no longer loosing altitude! For safety reasons, we are detouring to the nearest airport at Jakarta. We should have you safely on the ground in a few minutes. We will put you aboard a different plane so that you can continue your trip to Singapore."

Chris and his mother are fictitious characters, but the description of events accuately reflects what can happen when an airplane flies through a volcanic ash cloud.

Note: On June 24, a British Airways jumbo jet with 240 passengers did encounter an ash cloud from Galunggung volcano. It was flying150 km (90 mi) west of Galunggung at 11 km altitude. The ash caused all four of its engines to stall. It also scratched and pitted the windshield so badly the pilots could not see to steer the plane to the terminal gate. As the jet flew through the ash cloud St. Elmo's Fire (ball lightning) filled the cockpit. The aircraft plunged 7,500 m before the engines were restarted and it was able to land safely in Jakarta, Indonesia.