Last night I watched a very good documentary on volcanoes and mega-eruptions at National Geographic TV, bookchick. It was clearly said by the narrator that, if a mega eruption occured, the consequences would eventually affect the whole planet, regardless of the geographical location of volcano. Sulphur rains, air polluted with ashes, poisonous gases and of course a "volcanic winter" effect. Moreover, the replacement of such a big volume of magma could trigger more geological events, such as earthquakes and more volcanic eruptions.

You're right, I felt very sad for the people, plants and animals of Ecuador too. But luckily this was a relatively "small" eruption (hopefully it remains so). Whi...

Last night I watched a very good documentary on volcanoes and mega-eruptions at National Geographic TV, bookchick. It was clearly said by the narrator that, if a mega eruption occured, the consequences would eventually affect the whole planet, regardless of the geographical location of volcano. Sulphur rains, air polluted with ashes, poisonous gases and of course a "volcanic winter" effect. Moreover, the replacement of such a big volume of magma could trigger more geological events, such as earthquakes and more volcanic eruptions.

You're right, I felt very sad for the people, plants and animals of Ecuador too. But luckily this was a relatively "small" eruption (hopefully it remains so). Which makes me really worry is the Pacific Ring of Fire at the moment. We have already three volcanoes very active in the Philippines and Indonesia. An explosive eruption is expected at Mayon (scientists say "imminent") and Merapi is also very restless too. Mount Karangetan of Sulawesi is on top alert since late July.

You know, Krakatoa eruption caused some really big troubles to the whole planet some 120 years ago. Another mega eruption would cause a real tragedy when we already have many troubles like climate change, hurricanes, monsoon floods, typhoons etc. (At the same documentary I watched, it was said that the "atmospheric calamities" have been on a sharp increase in recent years.)

Thanks for the Ecuador clip. I'm popping it now.