Thursday, May 26, 2011

Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland

The last time volcano Grimsvotn erupted under the Vatnajokull glacier was in 2004. The plumes coming from the volcano disturbed much travel in Northern Europe last spring. Officials say that it's unlikely for the eruption to cause problems like last year, but flight bans have been set in the area. The plume of white smoke that came from Grimsvotn was about 15 km in the air. The eruptions aren't predicted to be like 2010  although they are waiting to see how the ash will act.
        Even though it's still considered unlikely for there to be a major eruption anytime soon, I still think it's a good idea that air travel has been temporarily shut down just in case anything serious does happen.

Acid Rain

1. A few gases that lead to acid rain:
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

2. What is the source of the most rain producing gases in Pennsylvania?
Power prodcution, automobiles, and agriculture.

3. Briefly explain how acid rain forms:
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine in the atmosphere with water from sulfiric and nitric acid. They then mix with water an fall to Earth as acid rain.