Volcanic Fog Blog

So the latest maps from the fabulously named Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) forecast a new giant plume of ash from the Chilean volcano heading towards Australia.  The ash has already travelled twice around the globe since its initial blowout on June 4, after a decade of volcanic hibernation.

Based on guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Qantas' policy is to not fly into areas where the concentration of volcanic ash is unclear.  They wisely believe that it is simply not worth taking the risk, which is why they put safety before schedule.

Safety before schedule is Qantas' motto, which sounds like an awfully appealing credo for life. Sorry boss, I will be in late tomorrow because there might be a peakhour accident somewhere that I would very much like to avoid, and I'm all about safety before schedule...

I am most intrigued* by the cranky folk at airports who whinge and whine to a news crew when their plane is delayed because, for reasons they cannot fathom, the captain doesn't want to fly through big mobs of volcanic ash.  The plume, known as 'vog' (volcanic fog) in the vulcanologist industry, is something in which YOU DO NOT WANT TO FLY A PLANE. Renown vulcanologist Mr Spock and Qantas say so, so it must be true.

When I was at the Kilauea National Park in Hawaii last year, our tour guide told us all about the virtues of  vog, among other stimlulating volcano-esque titbits and rampant trivia. From his ramblings, I gathered that vog is BAD, and you're best to avoid it at all costs unless you want to DIE.

I am rather surprised that our fearless leader Julia hasn't formulated one of her ridiculous 'tax the air we breathe' policies to expunge that damn cloud - because that'll stop it. We could get New Zealand on board to send it back to where it came from. Or to Malaysia. Why won't Malaysia take the vog Australia rejects? Obviously we haven't offered them an appealing enough deal.  They're not much of an ally.  Actually, it's probably because Rob Oakshott says no to illegal sootlegging because it doesn't benefit his constituents in any way whatsoever so that's the end of the matter. 

* A civilised way to describe my reaction when morons do stupid things.