1.6 Iceland

Question 1

social impacts of Eyjafallajokull

Answer 1

• population near the volcano recorded high levels of irritation and respiratory symptoms
• many British bands were unable to perform at Coachella
• increased regional traffic for land-based travel and train prices increased
• Hong Kong faced shortages on European produce
• improved air quality at other European airports

Question 2

economic impacts of Eyjafallajokull

Answer 2

• European economy lost $5billion following effects of air travel with trade
• IATA stated a loss of £1.1 billion and roughly 107,00 flights cancelled for 8 days leaving 10 million stranded
• African countries lost up to $65 million from perishable exports (Kenya’s flow industry lost $2 million with 3,000 tonnes of flowers being destroyed
• New Zealand economy boosted as demand for salmon increased due to Iceland and Norway were unable to export fish

Question 3

physical facts about Eyjafallajokull eruption

Answer 3

• was on 14th April 2010
• a single eruption divided into several phases
• relatively explosive eruption (4 on VEI scale)
• situated 200m under glacial ice where meltwater caused rapid vapourising water which increased VEI and rapid lava cooling creating a cloud of rich abrasive glass-rich ash
• also coincided with a stable jet stream
• 0 casualties