Well let's hope not, although the myth of Ragnarök is linked to volcanic activity in Iceland. We'll soon know if next the world is submerged under water, and then repopulated by the only two human survivors.
More prosaically, the Icelandic eruptions continue to cause flight chaos, with all flights to and from Kirkwall cancelled until Saturday at the earliest. The fact that civilian helicopters also are grounded has obvious implications for ambulance flights, but the First Minister has personally contacted OIC convener Stephen Hagan to assure him that air ambulance cover for Orkney will be provided using military helicopters while the flight restrictions are in force.
The Scottish Government is also investigating whether internal air services may be allowed to fly.
On the ground (terrible expression, but literally true in this case) there is definitely ash in the air, as would have been evident to anyone looking through a manky car windscreen this morning. This is however at the mere novelty level compared with the full 'nuclear winter' effect that is being experienced near the Icelandic volcano, as starkly shown in this BBC video. Video footage from the air is shown in the video below.
This latest eruption is causing severe floods and distress, compared with the first (and still impressive) rumblings which are now being regarded as 'for the tourists', and provided beautiful pictures juxtaposed with aurorae.
The last time the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano erupted in 1921, the eruptions continued for more than an year. Perhaps of more concern however is that these eruptions have traditionally preceded an eruption by the much larger nearby Katla volcano, one of Icelands two so-called 'Angry Sisters.
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