No reason to blow your top over volcanic eruption in Iceland

Volcanic eruption in Iceland unlikely to have global effects: "Toon said the amount of sulfur dioxide spewed by the volcano so far poses no threat to world climate as determined by an instrument aboard NASA's Aura satellite. But he noted than an apparently larger eruption of an Icelandic volcano in 1783 --which was written about by Benjamin Franklin -- caused some climate issues in Europe by creating smog-like conditions in London that partially blocked out the sun and persisted through the summer months. Toon compared the Icelandic eruption to the popping of a champagne bottle cork. When the pressure is released by breeching the rock 'cork,' gases bubble out, spewing tiny rock particles into the air like champagne droplets. Such rocks threaten the safety of airliners."

Comment -- I remember when Mt. Pinatubo blew up in 1991. It was the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century and killed 740 people. I personally noticed the impact of the eruption in my astronomy observations. During the summer and fall of 1991, when the ash from the volcano traveled into the stratosphere, the stars and Milky Way were noticeably dimmer than usual.

So far, it looks like the Iceland volcano won't have the same effect.