Dirty Thunderstorm

I'm sure most of you are keeping up on the volcano Eyjafjallajokull glacier (totally copy/pasted that, needs to be added to the Spelling Bee. lol) in Iceland. When I was on msn, I saw these pictures of what they call a "Dirty Thunderstorm." Personally, I think it's fascinating and breathtaking...but also unnerving for those that are directly affected by this natural disaster. Either way, I wanted to share a few pictures that I saw on msn.

Lightning, mixed with volcanic ash and hot lava. wow.

I have always been fascinated with the weather. Just so I could get my information correct, I checked on the weather channel website. Basically, the ash cloud and thunderclouds are similar in that they are full of hot humid air, and postive charges. Eruptions produce major electrical charges. Ash clouds are mixed with other rocks,  minerals, debris, that when they are released and collide may be cause the lightning strikes.

This volcano is erupting under the glacier, about 200 meters under. How neat is that? As the lava is spewing out, it is cooling into rock before it goes down the mountain, and the frozen water that is going into the volcanos crater is creating the huge ash clouds. Obviously the downside is the melting ice, creating flooding the area. 

The ash cloud is causing major airport shutdowns across Europe, which is definitely inconvenient for the traveler, but from what I understand planes and ash do not mix, so why chance it? ;)  The number one rule when I was working at the airlines? Safety Firt.   I loved these pictures, hope you did to.

(btw: I really hope my information is correct, but please don't quote me..just in case. lol. Just wanted to share some amazing pictures.)

***AND Happy Anniversary to my sister Amy and her hubby, they've been married 8 years. <3