Mt. Redoubt, in Alaska, is on the verge of eruption and could spew rock fragments, or tephra, into the unsuspecting atmosphere, filling the sky with a fine dust that will stick to windshield wipers, treetops, and moustache hairs. It could create a cataclysmic landslide, known as a lahar, of ice and debris that will change the local ecosystem. Now imagine the aftermath: Alaskans will be exposed to a snow-like atmosphere of ash and will have to wear thin facemasks to avoid inhalation of the toxic material, hoping their children's lungs aren't permanently damaged. ...