It is not just the Internet that has made the world a small place, nor the onset of news programs covering wars in far off places.

I rather think that it is because we have begun to realize in the last few decades is that actions are more often than not, global in their impact.

It certainly was true of the explosion of Krakatoa in the 1800s. If you have not read (or listened to) Simon Wincester’s book of that name, I strongly recommend it. He sets the stage, both in exploration and colonial terms, for the background against which the volcano’s eruption must be viewed.

It seems simple to say that there was an eruption in Iceland early this Wednesday morning which spewed ash several thousand of meters into the sky. With our current understanding of meteorology, it is obvious that the ash would not remain in one location.

Prevailing winds blew toward the British Isles with impact on flights starting Thursday morning and spreading to all of the UK as well as a significant part of the continent by the end of today.

The pictures posted on CNN are awesome with glowing pits and embers against the backdrop of the glacier through which it thrust.  When I looked out the window while driving home from RAF Alconbery and Croughton, the sun was shining, skies blue, and white clouds drifting. The ash is high and not visible to the naked eye making it seem impossible that one could not be soaring free today.

Deceptive illusion, that.    I am sure that the arrogance of more than a few will result in tragedy.   The tyranny of nature once more triumphs over the small plans of man.