What is a volcanic ash plume?

An ash plume forms when explosive magma fragments into fine particles and gases are ejected above the volcano. The plume can drift far from the eruption site, sometimes across continents, depending on wind patterns and eruption size. The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland disrupted air travel across Europe because ash can damage jet engines and reduce visibility. Ash fall can also contaminate water, damage crops, and make roofs collapse if it becomes heavy enough. Unlike volcanic smoke, ash is made of pulverized rock and volcanic glass, not soot.