Life in the Ash Cloud – Living through a Volcanic Eruption

Iceland made headline news again this May when a short but forceful volcanic eruption caused flight delays for thousands of passengers. While the eruption disrupts travel plans for thousands of passengers and is sure to cause some discomfort for them it has a more profound effect on the people and animals living literally under the volcano.

For those individuals the eruption affects all aspects of life. The timing is the worst possible for farmers because May is lambing season. Days of ash cloud is not the best start of a new life for any living creature! Farmers are anxious to get small lambs and their mothers nearer to the farms or indoors and to get them fresh water for survival.

Living in a cloud of ash for days is no simple feat. It requires a steady mind and putting some of your faith in the hands of higher powers. Putting on a mask and goggles becomes a part of the routine of dressing to go out. People stay indoors as much as possible but as mostly they are farmers they need to tend to their stock.

Indoors is no picnic either as the ash seems to find its way through cracks previously unknown and is everywhere. The windows are all closed, doors are opened just a crack to get out but still the ash is everywhere. The days are dark although it is springtime and the brightest time of the year. During the worst of it people could literally not see the fingers of their own hands if stretched out.

Afterwards it is cleaning time all around. Getting things up and running again.

The cleaning up will take a little time but in time the glacier will yet again be white, the grass green, the houses clean and life will indeed go on. Many of the farms also have a small tourism operation and need to get moving to be ready to accept tourists as soon as possible. Small and large the guesthouses are cleaned at maximum speed and within a week from the worst of the eruption they are ready for the most part. These are resilient people. They come from strong stock and know there is no way to go but forward and onward!

Posted on: Jun 05 2011 in The People