Japan: Shinmoedake Volcano Erupts Again

Japan just can't catch a break!  On the other hand, it's reasonable to wonder if the massive seismic volatility of the last few days has affected the volcano.  Shinmoedake had last erupted in January.

Amazing Photos as Japan's Mount Shinmoedake Volcano Erupts

Take a look at the raw power of nature.  Two words: Volcanic lightning!

Today in History: August 24-25, 79 AD

Mount Vesuvius erupted in Campania, south-central Italy, covering Pompeii with ash and Herculaneum with mud, thus preserving these two famous archaeological sites.  Note: neither city was covered with LAVA.  If they had been, we wouldn't be able to dig there today.

OK, callously amusing graphic (via a fellow history nerd) after the fold.

Ash Cloud = More Travel Chaos in Europe

Out of all the various news photos from the latest travel miseries in Europe, one in particular caught my eye, so here it is. On the teeny-tiny, minuscule, microscopic, off chance that you don't see right away WHAT caught my eye, well ...

There's no place like home.

Goodness Gracious, Great Balls of Fire! Eyjafjallajökull Video