Satellite pic reveals extent of ash cloud that's shut down UK airspace

Volcanic ash plume stretches across North Atlantic

This amazing satellite picture reveals the volcanic ash plume as it stretches from Iceland across the north of the UK and to northern Europe.

The image was received from NASA's Terra satellite at 11.39 UTC today by the Satellite Receiving Centre at the University of Dundee, the UK hub for recording environmental science data.

The picture reveals the 500 mile long belt of volcanic debris that was thrown into the atmosphere from the Eyjafjallajoekull eruption on Iceland.

Up to 4,000 flights are being cancelled with airspace closed in Scandinavia, Belgium and France.

The UK's air traffic control service said no flights would be allowed in UK airspace until at least 0700 BST on Friday amid fears of engine damage.

Although safety analysts said the problem could persist for another two days.

Pic: NEODAAS/University of Dundee

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