Redoubt Volcano...

So, you've probably heard by now, that one of Alaska's mountains is about to erupt. Apparently, I am always the last to know about these things, as I think my parents were the ones who actually mentioned it to me. Today I got a call from the base, telling me they were going to bring me masks and a check list of what to do if it does actually erupt. So, I'm thinking that maybe I should be a little more concerned than I already am! Here's is the info that I have found out so far, that I thought was interesting...

• Alaska's volcanoes are not like Hawaii's. Most of them don't put out the red river of lava.
• Instead, they typically explode and shoot ash 30,000 to 50,000 feet high — more than nine miles — into the jet stream.
• Particulate can injure skin, eyes and breathing passages. The young, the elderly and people with respiratory problems are especially susceptible. Put enough ash under a windshield wiper and it will scratch glass.
• It's also potentially deadly for anyone flying in a jet. Think of flying an airliner into a sandblaster. Redoubt blew on Dec. 15, 1989, and sent ash 150 miles away into the path of a KLM jet carrying 231 passengers. Its four engines flamed out. As the crew tried to restart the engines, "smoke" and a strong odor of sulfur filled the cockpit and cabin, according to a USGS account. The jet dropped more than 2 miles, from 27,900 feet to 13,300 feet, before the crew was able to restart all engines and land the plane safely at Anchorage. The plane required $80 million in repairs.

I'm hoping the baby doesn't come during the midst of this eruption! Yikes!