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Ash from a volcano in Iceland has cleared the skies of aircraft across much of northern Europe, with planes grounded on a scale previously unseen.
The highly abrasive, microscopic particles that make up volcanic ash, pose a major threat to aircraft. They can affect visibility and cause damage to engines, causing them to shut down.
Britain's air traffic service halted all non-emergency flights until at least 7 a.m. Friday.
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Smoke billows from an erupting volcano at the Eyjafjallajokull glacier near Reykjavik. (AFP/Icelandic Coast Guard) |