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Satellite data improve aviation safety

16 April 2010

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Volcanic ash sweeping across northern Europe

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This image, acquired on 15 April 2010 by Envisat's Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS), shows the vast cloud of volcanic ash sweeping across the UK from the eruption in Iceland, more than 1000 km away. The ash, which can be seen as the large grey streak in the image, is drifting from west to east at a height of about 11 km above the surface Earth.

Credits: ESA

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In June 1982, all four engines on a British Airways Boeing 747 carrying 248 passengers failed within minutes after flying through a volcanic ash plume.

Credits: British Airways/Captain Eric Moody

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Envisat MERIS image of 22 February 2010 showing cloud-free, snow-covered Iceland before the eruption of the volcano.

Credits: ESA

Observing the Earth