Volcanic dust and desert dust...

[sandyRoe]

A couple of years ago freak weather conditions brought clouds of red dust over parts of the UK from the Sahara. Why didn't it clog jet engines in the same way that the Icelandic dust does?

[sandyRoe]

?

[Mamyalynne]

I don`t know the full science but it seems this volcanic ash turns into a glass like substance and that is where the danger is. Sorry thats so vague but am no scientist.

[bobjugs12]

The volcanic dust doesn't clog the engines as such. Instead, upon heating up within a jet engine it turns to a molten glass which coats the turbine blades stopping them form rotating making the engine stall. As a result the bloody great plane your on turns into a bloody great glider with all the aerodynamic grace of a house brick

[trt]

The dust from the Sahara wasn't as high as the volcanic dust we have now and wouldn't have affected jet engines.

[KARL]

Desert dust is to some extent soil and has different characteristics from what amounts to pulverised stone/magma.

[deggers316]

actually this volcanic ash does not coat the blades
it blocks the cooling vents (tiny holes) in the burners part of the engine when it turns to molten glass
and aircraft glide down , in some cases a 747 can glide for 150 miles from 32.000 ft, not drop like a house brick if all engines pack in,depending on load and weather conditions