Prophecy 2010 The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull were volcanic events at Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland which, although relatively small for volcanic eruptions, caused enormous disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe over an initial period of six days in April 2010. Additional localised disruption continued into May 2010. The eruption was declared officially over in October 2010, when snow on the glacier did not melt. From 14–20 April, ash covered large areas of northern Europe when the volcano erupted. About 20 countries closed their airspace to commercial jet traffic and it affected more than 100,000 travellers. Seismic activity started at the end of 2009 and gradually increased in intensity until on 20 March 2010, a small eruption started rated as a 1 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.[1] Beginning on 14 April 2010, the eruption entered a second phase and created an ash cloud that led to the closure of most of the European IFR airspace from 15 until 20 April 2010. Consequently, a very high proportion of flights within, to, and from Europe were cancelled, creating the highest level of air travel disruption since the Second World War. The second phase of the eruption started on 14 April 2010 and resulted in an estimated 250 million cubic metres (330,000,000 cu yd) (¼ km3) of ejected tephra. The ash plume rose to a height of approximately 9 kilometres (30,000 ft), which rates the explosive power of the eruption as a 4 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.[2] By 21 May 2010, the second eruption phase had subsided to the point that no further lava or ash was being produced. More seismic activity was produced. By the morning of 24 May 2010, the view from the web camera installed on Þórólfsfell[3] showed only a plume of water vapour surrounded by a bluish haze caused by emission of sulphurous gases. Due to the large quantities of dry volcanic ash lying on the ground, surface winds frequently lifted up an ash mist that significantly reduced visibility and made web camera observation of the volcano impossible.[4] By the evening of 6 June 2010, a small new crater had opened up on the west side of the main crater. Explosive activity from this new crater was observed with emission of small quantities of ash.[5] Seismic data showed that the frequency and intensity of earth tremors still exceeded the levels observed before the eruption, therefore scientists at the Icelandic Meteorological Office[6] (IMO) and the Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland[7] (IES) continued to monitor the volcano. In October 2010, Ármann Höskuldsson, a scientist at the University of Iceland Institute of Earth Sciences, stated that the eruption was officially over, although the area was still geothermally active and might erupt again.[8] In May 2011, a nearby volcano named Grímsvötn started erupting, disrupting air travel mostly in Iceland. Gulf Of Mexico Oil Rig Disaster April 19 – Halliburton completes cementing of the final production casing string.[19] April 20 – 7 am – BP cancels a recommended cement bond log test. Conducting the test would have taken 9–12 hours and $128,000. By canceling the cement test BP paid only $10,000. Crew leaves on 11:15 am flight.[11] BP officials gather on the platform to celebrate seven years without an injury on the rig.[20] The planned moving of the Deepwater Horizon to another location was 43 days past due and the delay had cost BP $21 million.[21] April 20, 2010 21:49 (CDT), Block 252, Mississippi Canyon Andrea Fleyras had been monitoring the dynamic positioning system on the bridge of the Horizon when she felt a jolt. Before she could make sense of it – a rig shaking shock that came out of nowhere – magenta warnings began flashing on her screen. Magenta meant the most dangerous level of combustible gas intrusion.[22] 9:45 pm CDT – Gas, oil and concrete from the Deepwater Horizon explode up the wellbore onto the deck and then catches fire. The explosion kills 11 platform workers and injures 17 others; another 98 people survive without serious physical injury.[23] April 21 Coast Guard rear admiral Mary Landry named Federal On Scene Coordinator.[24] Coast Guard log reports “Potential environmental threat is 700,000 gallons of diesel on board the Deepwater Horizon and estimated potential of 8,000 barrels per day of crude oil, if the well were to completely blowout. Most of the current pollution has been mitigated by the fire. There is some surface sheening extending up to 2 miles from the source.” The log also reports that two attempts to shut the BOP using an ROV have failed.[25][26] April 22 10:21 am – Rig sinks.[27] CNN quote Coast Guard Petty Officer Ashley Butler as saying that oil was leaking from the rig at the rate of about 8,000 barrels (340,000 US gallons; 1,300 cubic metres) of crude per day.[28] 100,000 US gallons (380,000 litres) of dispersants are pre-authorized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and placed in position even though there is no sign of a leak.[24] Three Norwegian crews from Ocean Intervention III from Oceaneering International, Skandi Neptune from DOF ASA, and Boa Sub C (from Boa International) begin using remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) to map the seabed and assess the damage to the wreck. The crews report large amounts of oil that flowed out.[29] April 23 – Coast Guard rear adm. Mary Landry tells CBS At this time, there is no crude emanating from that wellhead at the ocean surface, er, at the ocean floor...There is not oil emanating from the riser either.[30][31] Unified Command begins operating out of the Royal Dutch Shell Training and Conference Center in Robert, Louisiana. Search and rescue suspended at 5 pm. Eleven of the 126 people on the rig have perished.[24] Coast Guard log reports, “BP will establish an ICP at Houma, Louisiana today to monitor the response and prepare for potential release estimated potential of 64,000- 110,000 bbls (2 ,688,000- 4,620,000 gal) per day of crude oil if the well were to completely blowout.”[25][26] April 24 – In accordance with the existing in situ burn plans, the OSC determined in situ burning was a viable response method for several reasons. First, weather and sea-state did not allow continuous skimming and alternatives were needed. Second, skimmers and dispersants could not completely remove the oil being released from the well. Finally, the OSC determined in situ burning (ISB) was a safe and effective way to remove large volumes of oil from the ocean surface, based on data for in situ burns from previous spills. BP reports a leak 1,000 barrels (42,000 US gallons; 160 cubic metres) a day.[32] DeepWaterHorizonResponse domain registered for one year by PIER Systems in Bellingham, Washington[33] to be used by the United States Coast Guard and other reporting agencies.[34] Price of a barrel of oil (West Texas Intermediate – Cushing, Oklahoma) $84.34[35] April 25 – Oil sheen seen covering 580 square miles (1,500 km2) and is 70 miles (110 km) south of Mississippi and Alabama coastlines and was 31 miles (50 km) from the ecologically sensitive Chandeleur Islands. BP begins process to establish two relief wells.[24] April 26 – Oil reported 36 miles (58 km) southeast of Louisiana. Booms set up to keep oil from washing ashore.[36] A huge containment chamber is moved to Superior Energy Services subsidiary Wild Well Control in Port Fourchon, Louisiana.[37] BP closing stock price 57.91[38] Coast Guard log reports “attempts to actuate the blow preventer (BOP) middle rams and blind shears were ineffective due to a hydraulic leak on the valve. Repairs are being worked overnight. The well head continues to discharge approximately 1,000 barrels/day.[26] April 27 – Slick grows to 100 miles (160 km) across and 20 miles (32 km) from Louisiana coast. Andrea Jannah Laforest
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 08:03:02 +0000
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