http://spaceweather.com
April 1, 2009
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*NEW VERB: *There's a new verb in Alaska: "to ash." It's like "to snow," only grayer and more sulfurous. Residents downwind of Mt. Redoubt are using it like this: "We don't run our ski lifts when *it ashes* because it damages the electric motors," says Michelle Cosper of the Alyeska Resort near Girdwood. It's been ashing a lot lately as Mt. Redoubt has erupted more than 19 times since March 22nd. "The ash has created a moonscape with all the highlights of gray," she says.
The resemblance to moondust is more than superficial. Consider the following: Volcanic ash is gray, abrasive, can be dangerous to breathe and easily electrified. Moondust is gray, abrasive, can be dangerous to breathe
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Michael Murphy sent me the link to the above SpaceWeather article on the problems with volcanic ash from the latest eruption of Mt. Redoubt in Alaska.
His comment on the article.
- LRK -
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I find the comparison to the composition of moondust to be quite interesting. Maybe this (and other similar situations) would be an opportunity to test hardware and try out possible decontamination (dust removal) processes that would be essential in a Lunar Habitat.
Michael W. Murphy
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Would be nice to take advantage of these natural happenings as we consider how to live on the Moon.
At present NASA needs Fake Moondust.
- LRK -
http://www.space.com/news/0701032_technovelgy_moondust.html
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/28dec_truefake.htm?list955127
The folks at the airport are trying to be creative.
- LRK -
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http://www.adn.com/volcano/story/740777.html
Airport opens, residents clean up ash
By LISA DEMER
ldemer@adn.com
Published: March 29th, 2009 03:17 PM
Last Modified: March 30th, 2009 12:30 PM
The day after Redoubt volcano spewed ash across Anchorage and much of Southcentral Alaska, the city began to clean up the soggy gray mess. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport reopened Sunday afternoon, though many flights were still canceled or delayed. Hundreds of passengers anticipate being stranded for days in hubs like Seattle and Minneapolis.
Drivers lined up at car washes to blast off the scratchy gunk. Worried pet owners flooded the phones at an emergency vet clinic. And everyone watched for any signs of another explosion from Redoubt.
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The ash is mainly fine bits of abrasive volcanic glass that can damage lungs, vehicles or electronics equipment. But the ash fall on Anchorage, Nikiski and elsewhere in Southcentral Alaska on Saturday was considered minor.
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*Slide show:* Airport crew uses new technique to get ash off runways
http://twitter.com/alaska_avo
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More at BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
Thanks for looking up with me.
Larry Kellogg
Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
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