Last April of 2010, I was in Copenhagen, Denmark along with some fellow high school peers on an organized school trip. We were originally planned to be staying for a full 7-day week, but little did we know that Geology would take affect. The night before our last day, we flipped on the news channel and were surprised to see that the Volcano Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland had awakened and erupted. As concerned as we were, I and the rest of the students accompanying me were thrilled to extend our spring break vacation. However, at the time, we were not fully aware of the aspects of this geological and historic event. Yes, we knew that airports were closed and all flights were cancelled, but it wasn’t until a few more days of anxious patience that we realized the full effect it had on numerous amounts of people throughout all of Europe. I was able to view at first-hand tourists, locals, and others who were all incapable of going to a new destination and for others not being able to reach their home. There were hundreds stranded in airports for days not being able to leave, just waiting for flights. Terminal chairs and benches were being used as beds, and dining areas, to those who had nowhere else to go. People were going shower-less while stranded yet were still just happy to still have the airports restroom facilities. We were witnesses to seeing people in total frantic boarding every possible train they could trying to find a place that they could be sent home from. Lucky for me and my classmates, we were not amongst those lost in terminals. By the purchase of ironically cheap travel insurance, we were fortunate enough to remain in a hotel and wait it out there in comfort. There was nothing anyone could do until it was declared that enough smoke had cleared to determine it safe for flights to re-open. Even though it wasn’t visible from Denmark, pre-cautions were taken. Our flight back home lasted an extra 2 hours due to a different course marked to completely avoid the remaining volcanic cloud. This event really opened my eyes to let me see how at any moment, geological events can alter and change our lives’ paths. I was a part of Volcano Eyjafjallajokull, I saw how it effected peoples’ lives, and I was witness to geologic history.
Iceland Volcano Eyjafjallajokull Effects
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Geosmin.... 
I thought this was a terrific way to start because I remember vividly when the Denmark trip participants got stuck over there for an extended time. For starters, I feel I should make it clear that Ryan and I went to the same high school, which is why I know about this. Looking at this article from my side of the globe, I was worried sick for the participants that were trapped over in Danish wonderland. I know they were having a blast, but those of us in Murphy couldn’t even fathom how they were ever going to make it back home. I was thrilled that they had such a wonderful time and were able to gain knowledge from this geologic event—who knew that volcanoes could impact even air travel all across Europe? One word can sum up this phenomenon I think: WOW.
This was an incredible event. I remember hearing about this on television here in the states when it happened. I am jealous of your extended vacation, especially in Europe. Having been to Europe myself, i know what its like to sit on a plane for 9 hours at a time and i never had to wait to leave the country. i remember the feeling of being lost over there, not knowing the language. I cant imagine what it would have been like when people start to panic. This was big news in the states. I am glad everything worked itself out in the end for you.