That's not snow: Ashfall from Redoubt's ~6 am explosive event, April 4, 2009, as viewed from near Homer, AK. Photograph courtesy of Dennis Anderson.Courtesy Alaska Volcano ObservatoryAfter a week of a slightly lower activity level, Mt. Redoubt had another large eruption on Saturday, sending a plume of ash 50,000 feet into the sky.

Ash fall from volcanic eruptions is a major problem for folks who live in the areas impacted by these eruptions. I used to think of ash fall like snow. But its not snow - volcanic ash is tiny jagged pieces of rock and glass. Its hard (you can't use a snowblower to get rid of it, it'll wreck your blower), abrasive, mildly corrosive, conducts electricity when wet, and does not dissolve in water. Think about that - when it rains you don't get the ash washed away - you just get icky mud. Its a major problem.

Here are web cams of Mt. Redoubt here and here.

Also be sure to check out the Alaska Volcano Observatory's page on Mt. Redoubt's activity.

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