I am not a volcanologist, but my experience suggests this "microscopic shards of glass" is an overreaction. This article says that Mt Pinatubo released 4 cubic kilometers (= 1 cubic mile) of ash (= < 2 mm tephra). We were within 25 miles of it (we drove from Baguio to Manila that day), while it was blowing up, and nobody complained about breathing it in, and I never heard any discussion of respiratory problems... Actually, I remember standing outside watching the stuff fall down and asking my parents if it was snow. Amusement turned to concern only when it began sticking to our windshield (it was wet), forcing our driver to keep his head out the window, with sunglasses and an umbrella. On that day, we crossed bridges that collapsed shortly afterwards.

Granted, 1000 cubic miles is a lot more, but it will probably spread over a greater area too. My message is sure, get dust masks. But worry more about the roof of your house collapsing. Maybe bridges too. And, regarding one of those articles about water scarcity, I think a coffee filter should strain out the ash, if it came to that.

Come to think of it, people are able to survive dust storms just fine, which on a local scale, are probably worse than what a volcano would kick up. So maybe we should just ask the bedouins what to do.

I was near Mt Pinatubo when it blew. Ash was falling on us, but we weren't concerned about inhaling it... If that were a problem, you could just use an umbrella...

The problem was that the ash mixed with a typhoon passing by, and raining wet ash is a problem because it turned into dangerous sand-rivers. And, it ruined crop fields. In all, it hardly seemed like a big deal.

Certainly this volcano could be bigger, but I doubt it would make a great movie.

yea, well you have the same problem (if it's a problem) the portuguese & spanish have. we "colonials" outnumber you by a lot, so if there's ever a vote...