Eli5: why is volcanic ash dangerous to aircraft, and yet they can fly through forest fire smoke?

Question

Thank you!

In: 32

Answer 1

Volcanic ash is made up of much larger particles than forest fire smoke. These can damage the fast moving parts of a jet engine.

Answer 2

Volcanic ash is made up of much larger particles than forest fire smoke. These can damage the fast moving parts of a jet engine.

Answer 3

So you can see how sharp volcanic ash actually is, here ya go. May feel soft, but most certainly isn’t!

[Sharp Ash](https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/scanning-electron-microscope-image-volcanic-ash)

Answer 4

So you can see how sharp volcanic ash actually is, here ya go. May feel soft, but most certainly isn’t!

[Sharp Ash](https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/scanning-electron-microscope-image-volcanic-ash)

Answer 5

There is a difference between ash and smoke where smoke is primarily carbon soot and only the finest wood ash all the larger particles will remain in the pile of wood. Volcanic ash is tiny particles of rock that are abrasive like sand and is hydroscopic. And is explosively launched into the air.

Answer 6

There is a difference between ash and smoke where smoke is primarily carbon soot and only the finest wood ash all the larger particles will remain in the pile of wood. Volcanic ash is tiny particles of rock that are abrasive like sand and is hydroscopic. And is explosively launched into the air.