Volcanoes and wine production

Was just wondering what impact, if any, the current volcanic eruption in Iceland could have on wine production? The ash plume, as I understand it, covers a good chuck of nothern Europe, including some wine producing areas and, eventually, it will fall to the ground somewhere.

So, would anyone care to speculate?

Was just wondering what impact, if any, the current volcanic eruption in Iceland could have on wine production? The ash plume, as I understand it, covers a good chuck of nothern Europe, including some wine producing areas and, eventually, it will fall to the ground somewhere.

So, would anyone care to speculate?

Bruce,
If you're familiar with the historical event of the "year without a summer" you have some idea of what could happen. This one is nowhere near as cataclysmic an event, but it will still probably suppress temperatures a tad. OTOH, volcanic ash is great fertilizer!

Mark Lipton

Was just wondering what impact, if any, the current volcanic eruption in Iceland could have on wine production? The ash plume, as I understand it, covers a good chuck of nothern Europe, including some wine producing areas and, eventually, it will fall to the ground somewhere.

So, would anyone care to speculate?

Bruce,
If you're familiar with the historical event of the "year without a summer" you have some idea of what could happen. This one is nowhere near as cataclysmic an event, but it will still probably suppress temperatures a tad. OTOH, volcanic ash is great fertilizer!

Mark Lipton

Thanks. I do indeed remember that summer. I think I wore long pants and lon-sleeved shirts all season. I was wondering more about any possible negative effects of ash falling on vineyards but from what you have said, that could actually turn out to be a good thing.

>> I do indeed remember that summer. I think I wore long pants and lon-sleeved shirts all season. <<

Bruce, you're doing pretty well for someone who was around in 1816!

In my lifetime I recall a couple of times when there were volcanic eruptions that produced somewhat noticeable effects in North America, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Pinatubo. I recall some ash fall-out from Mt. St. Helens here in the northeast, and nice sunsets from each.

This is one of the Icelandic volcanoes whose lava is high in fluorine, in which case you probably DON'T want its ash falling in your agricultural land.

-Paul W.

It's a long way from Iceland to Europe. In most parts of Britain there is no ash on the ground. Where there is some, the dusting is very light. I don't doubt the same applies on the continent. So there will be no effect on viticulture.

BTW you cannot see it in the air from the ground either - it is nothing like what you see spewing directly out of the volcano.

BTW you cannot see it in the air from the ground either - it is nothing like what you see spewing directly out of the volcano.

Yes, it is very strange. There are no flights out of and into Brussels airport but the sky is of a rare clarity and brilliance this morning. I have heard warnings, though, that the asthmatic may suffer.

So, would anyone care to speculate?

Poisonous vulcanic ash is going to ruin european wine industry for centuries. Fertile landscapes are ruined for generations.

On the other hand, vulcanic ash is best known for its air cleansing effects and therefore millions of europeans are going to suffer from skin cancer. That will not harm that anyway, as clear blue skies are going to be a normal everyday thing, and the vulcanic eruption is going to heal hundreds of thousands of depressive people (Can see this effect in numerous paintings like Munchs "the laugh" etc.).


Due to these obvious effects i won`t take part in any speculations. Not yet.

Well, that certainly left everyone speechless...