Ashfall!

The volcanic ash is now falling in Anchorage. The sky is hazy and the snow now has a thin layer of ash. There is also an odd smell to the air. I’ve brought the dogs inside.

Photograph taken by the Alaska Volcano Observatory 28 March 2009

Volcanos, Earthquakes and Avalanches

It’s always exciting up here in the Last Frontier. This week we’ve had a massive volcanic eruption preceded by earthquakes of Mount Redoubt on the Cook Inlet. An avalanche closed the tunnel to Whittier south of Anchorage in the Portage Valley. Another avalanche just closed the Seward Highway south of Girdwood today.

Mount Redoubt  has erupted five times since 1900: in 1902, 1922, 1966, 1989 and 2009. It’s about 110 miles from Anchorage and is, right now, spewing ash through Southcentral Alaska. We’ve got an ‘ashfall advisory’ at the moment. I’m not too keen on driving around or being outside with microscopic silica particles floating through the air.

No, that’s not dirt. That is volcanic ash covering the snowy mountain range.

Mount Redoubt bellows steam and ash, seen from across the Cook Inlet in Ninilchik today.

For more information look at the Alaska Volcano Observatory website.

Skiing

Not only did Mt Redoubt erupt 7 times today but we are on day two of our Alyeska ski trip. Lots of powder yesterday and great sun and groomed trails today.

Way better than working.

Beautiful Sunrise

Beautiful sunrise this morning over the Chugach Mountains. And best of all this is the worst view from one of my many office windows.

Leaving Maui

Just finished up a great week in Maui. Things we did:

1. Hiked Haleakala.
2. Drove the road to Hana.
3. Hiked the lava fields.
4. Met Chris Berman while visiting the Maui Winery.
5. Saw many amazing sunsets.
6. Drank at the Maui Brewing Company on three separate occasions.
7. Had our ziplining tour cancelled due to 55 mph winds.