August 24, 79
Mount Vesuvius erupts. The cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae are buried in volcanic ash. Very fine ash particles remain high in the atmosphere for years, spreading around the world by high-altitude winds. This suspended material contributes to often spectacular sunsets, as well as an optical phenomenon known as Bishop's Ring.
Iceland volcano: Eruption under ice-cap sparks red alert BBC - August 24, 2014
Strong quakes around Bardarbunga Volcano BBC - August 24, 2014
Two new earthquakes have shaken the Bardardunga volcano in Iceland, which is already under a "red alert" aviation warning because of fears an eruption. They are the strongest earthquakes to hit the volcano since seismic activity began on Tuesday. Authorities said there had not been a major eruption but have closed the airspace in the area as a precaution. Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted in 2010, producing ash that disrupted air travel across Europe.
