1.   This ejected fine dust and ash particles into the atmosphere, which are believed to be accelerating the chemical reactions by which ozone is destroyed by chlorine compounds.

2.   Ash particles can act as a filter, selectively allowing blue light from the moon to reach the surface of the earth.

3.   The airborne ash particles act like a filter, selectively allowing blue light through the smokey pall aloft.

4.   Volcanoes have been known to disrupt worldwide weather patterns due to their fine ash particles reaching into the stratosphere and being carried around the globe by high level winds.

5.   A jet engine flying through one melts ash particles that form a glassy coating in the turbines, choking air flow and causing the engines to flame out.