volcanic ash cloud

When the first news of volcano eruption in Iceland under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, it was a very interesting piece of news... I've never heard of any volcanic activities in Iceland... For people who are born after 1975, have you heard of volcanoes in Iceland?

However, according to information from internet, it did erupt more than 1 time. In 1783 and in 1973. According to the record, when Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted in 1873, the eruption continued for 14 months!

Though experts do not foresee the ban on flights for that long, but the current situation is quite a dilemma. For now, the European airlines have begun test flights through the volcanic ash in order for the bid to reopen the airspace. Read the report here. Currently airlines are suffering massive losses due to the closure of the airspace. Of course businesses and individuals are not spared since air travel has become so ingrained in our modern lives. But I think the question remains... should governments lift the travel ban if test flights are successful? Can they be responsible should anything happens after that? Moral dilemma?

Weighing between the dollar cost and human lives cost... which one do you choose?

Information on volcanic ash. The consequences of flying through volcanic ash as recorded for the British Airways Flight 9 incident.

Update from Reuters about Eyjafjallajokull volcano ash, read here.