Alexandria, VA - In 2010, trans-Atlantic airspace was shutdown, and international travel halted, when Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull erupted, spewing ash into the air. This was an expensive decision, triggered by the threat ash posed to aircraft, crews and passengers. When ash enters an aircraft turbine, which typically can reach temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius, the ash can melt, damaging the engines in midflight.
For decades, sand has been used to simulate the effects volcanic ash may have on aircraft, but in a new study covered by EARTH Magazine, scientists used samples of real volcanic ash from volcanoes of different eruptive styles from around the world. The experiments demonstrated big differences between the compositions and melting points of sand versus ash. To find out what this means for geoscience and the airline industry, read the August issue of EARTH Magazine: http://bit.ly/2aWMYxr.
EARTH Magazine brings you the science behind the headlines. In its 60th year, EARTH Magazine is still the premier magazine for all geoscience news. This month's issue includes stories on how geoscience is being used to track down Hannibal's route over the Alps, new research into how vibrations give landslides water-like properties, and a primer on the most influential images in the field of geology. Additionally, Travels in Geology takes you all over the world to experience the science for yourself, either on vacation or from your favorite reading chair. Read all this, and more in EARTH Magazine.
Source: American Geosciences Institute