Volcanic ash

Air traffic in Europe is currently paralyzed due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland. How could a local event in the furthest reaches of Northern Europe paralyze an entire continent?

The reason is that the ash that fills the air following a volcanic eruption has a much denser content than a normal dust or ash cloud. The ash affects air-traffic safety in a number of ways. The ash comprises minerals, which are extremely small and hard rock particles. They are so hard that they can have a blasting effect on the aircraft’s cockpit windowpanes when an aircraft meets an ash could at high speeds. However, the most serious aspect of encountering an ash cloud from a volcanic eruption is neither the aforementioned nor visibility problems. The hard ash entails severe wear on all engine components; blades and blisks are worn down very rapidly. The ash contains sulfur, which leads to rapid chemical erosion and in turn to risks of fractures and blade damage.
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