an issue I have with the movie

Ok--Dalton is firmly convinced that an eruption is imminent, despite his boss's claims that there is no "scientific" evidence. Considering this, why doesn't he at least make sure he himself is prepared for the eruption? That is, why doesn't he get his hands on a filter mask (sold at most hardware stores) and some goggles? I mean, whenever a volcanic eruption has a good chance of occurring, anyone who might possibly be in the fallout are for ash is advised to get a mask and goggles to protect themselves in the event the volcano does, in fact, erupt.

Surely, given that he knew an eruption was imminent, he would have gotten himself--and probably the mayor and her kids--masks and goggle, so that when the volcano did erupt, he wouldn't be inhaling the ash and getting it in his eyes. I mean, volcanic ash is rock--very finely ground rock particulates. As a USGS employee, he should know the dangers of ash, and be adequately prepared.

Also, i find it amusing how both the kids and him using windshield wipers on the cars doesn't scratch them in the least. Because, in real life, using wipers on volcanic ash will scratch the window, since the ash is very abrasive (it is rock, afterall).

Not to mention that the tires would ahve melted driving over the lava, despite the fact that it had cooled significantly.

The sad thing, though, is that some pilots, like the helicopter pilot, actually are stupid enough to try and fly through volcanic ash clouds (I'm thinking the KLM pilot from 20 yrs ago who flew straight into an ash cloud put out by Redoubt).