How ash clouds disrupted thousands and cost millions
The last year has seen massive disruption of flights around the world, not because of any man made issue, but due to the power of mother nature. Volcanic eruptions first in Iceland, then in Chile have seen passengers stranded and airlines out of pocket to the tune of millions. But not all airlines agree on the risk caused ash clouds – with some companies choosing to put profits ahead of safety concerns. Earth on the Edge is the title of a conference of earth scientists happening in Melbourne today, looking at this very issue. Ray Cas, Professor of Volcanology at the School of Geosciences at Monash University, and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the International Union of Geophysics and Geodesy, explains exactly how that ash causes so many problems.