Comments on: A Big Eruption in Iceland Could Kill Tens of Thousands in Europe, Model Predicts http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/09/20/a-big-eruption-in-iceland-could-kill-tens-of-thousands-in-europe-model-predicts/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Cory http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/09/20/a-big-eruption-in-iceland-could-kill-tens-of-thousands-in-europe-model-predicts/#comment-29452 Cory Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:18:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=31878#comment-29452 @Catherine: These events are possible at any time. A major eruption could aerosolize enough crustal matter to blanket the Earth in to a new Ice Age. However, the likelihood of a major eruption which influences global environment is very low. Eventually, in human existence, we will experience a life-changing event, be it from a meteor, volcano, earthquake, tsunami, you name it; but there isn't any point in worrying about it until it happens :) @Catherine: These events are possible at any time. A major eruption could aerosolize enough crustal matter to blanket the Earth in to a new Ice Age. However, the likelihood of a major eruption which influences global environment is very low. Eventually, in human existence, we will experience a life-changing event, be it from a meteor, volcano, earthquake, tsunami, you name it; but there isn’t any point in worrying about it until it happens :)

]]> By: Catherine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/09/20/a-big-eruption-in-iceland-could-kill-tens-of-thousands-in-europe-model-predicts/#comment-29451 Catherine Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:42:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=31878#comment-29451 I saw a documentery on the history chanell a few yrs ago th at said the 1783 eruption triggered a little ice age, summers were cooler across Europe & famine struck where crops couldn't grow. Was that true & could another such eruption trigger another little ice age? I saw a documentery on the history chanell a few yrs ago th at said the 1783 eruption triggered a little ice age, summers were cooler across Europe & famine struck where crops couldn’t grow. Was that true & could another such eruption trigger another little ice age?

]]> By: Adam Laceky http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/09/20/a-big-eruption-in-iceland-could-kill-tens-of-thousands-in-europe-model-predicts/#comment-29450 Adam Laceky Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:37:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=31878#comment-29450 It's spelled "minuscule," not "miniscule." You're welcome. It’s spelled “minuscule,” not “miniscule.” You’re welcome.

]]> By: Brian Too http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/09/20/a-big-eruption-in-iceland-could-kill-tens-of-thousands-in-europe-model-predicts/#comment-29449 Brian Too Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:48:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=31878#comment-29449 I wonder if their death rates might be a little overstated in the present day. Mass protection measures against SO2 are problematic to be sure. However widespread distribution of N95 or N99 masks is feasible, as is minimizing outdoor exposure. It wouldn't be easy and the knowledge and equipment availability for the first few weeks would be poor. However as the months pass this could be overcome. I wonder if their death rates might be a little overstated in the present day. Mass protection measures against SO2 are problematic to be sure. However widespread distribution of N95 or N99 masks is feasible, as is minimizing outdoor exposure.

It wouldn’t be easy and the knowledge and equipment availability for the first few weeks would be poor. However as the months pass this could be overcome.

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