John Rodgers on wed 26 jul 06
The recent threads on volcanic ash have reminded me that I have some
volcanic ash on hand. I'm going to dig it out and use it.
I was fortunate to have been in Alaska and been present during the
eruption of three different volcanoes, beginning in 1986, with the
eruption of Mt. Augustine, out in Cook Inlet just off of Homer, Alaska
at the mouth of Kachemak Bay. There was first Mt.Agustinge as mentioned,
then Mt. Redoubt - just a bit further north out from Kenai, Alaska, and
then Mt. Spur even further north and across Cook's Inlet from Anchorage.
I was fortuanate to live close enough to these to be able to gather ash
from each eruption.
The ash from Mt. Augustine made a glaze that had a strong greenish black
color at cone 10, not quite matte, but not quite gloss either. Wasn't
particularly pretty in my mind. The ash was a very fine powder as it fell.
Mt. Redoubt ash was more coarse. There were several ashfalls over
several weeks, with lots of ine stuff floating in the air for days and
days. The ash gathered was used in the clay itself in slipcasting
techniques. When a clear glaze was applied over it, it was georgeous.
Mt. Spur ash was heavy, coarse, and dark. Again it was mixed with clay
in slipcasting, and when the clear glaze was applied, it gave a peppered
effect. Very nice.
To see a picture of Mt. Augusting during the eruption period, check the
home page to my web site at
http:/webpages.charter.net/jhr
To see some Mt. Redoubt ash as used in slip casting, go to
http://webpages.charter.net/jhr/WEBPages/pots_early.htm
Click the part of the contents about Volcanic ash.
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
__
| |
|
