Case Study : Eyjafjallajokull 2010 eruption Flashcards
Causes
Located on a constructive plate boundary between the north American and Eurasian plate. Plates move apart at 2.5cm per year, causing magma to rise to the surface. This eruption was so explosive due to surrounding glaciers melting, and the water reacting with the magma.
Primary effects
- Great amounts of ash sent into the atmosphere, spreading over Europe
- Flooding due to glacial melting
- Local water supplies contaminated due to high concentrations of fluoride mixing with river water
- Loss of income for local farmers due to evacuation
Secondary effects
- 100,000 flights in Europe cancelled over a 6 day flight ban due to high amounts of ash in the air
- Airlines and associated businesses lost £130 million a day, totalling to $2.2 billion in losses
- Hundreds of thousands of people stranded in other countries due to cancelled flights
- 20% of Kenyan economy is based on exports to Europe, causing a hit to the Kenyan economy
- Boost in Icelandic tourism after the eruption
Short term responses
- Around 800 people evacuated from the immediate vicinity of the volcano, mainly including farmers
- Entirety of the European airspace was closed for 6 days due to the large amount of ash in the atmosphere
- Immediate response from local authorities, including firefighters and rescue teams
- Embankments around a main bridge destroyed, allowing flood water to pass around the bridge rather than destroying it
- European red cross societies sent volunteers to help people effected, including providing beds for those stranded in airports.
- 100 000 European flights cancelled
Long term responses
- Improved volcanic monitoring systems including 120 seismic monitoring stations and 80 GPS stations.
- Financial assistance provided for affected farmers and businesses by the government
- The EU developed better management for European airspace, meaning areas can be closed without closing the entire airspace following an eruption.
- Air travel companies have began testing the safe limit of volcanic ash in jet engines
- More defenced built around important Icelandic power stations to protect from flooding
- River embankments reinforced to protect from flooding
- Psychological support provided by Red cross for affected people.
Where is the Volcano located?
On a constructive plate boundary between the north American plate and the Eurasian plate
Why was the eruption so explosive?
The surrounding glaciers melted, causing water to react with the magma
How many flights in Europe were cancelled, and over a how many day period? Why?
100,000 flights cancelled over a 6 day flight ban. Due to the large amounts of ash in the air
How much money did airlines and associated business lose?
$2.2 billion
How many people evacuated from the vicinity of the volcano?
Around 800
Why were the embankments around a bridge destroyed on purpose?
To allow flood water to pass around the bridge, rather than destroying it
How many seismic monitoring and GPS stations built after to improve volcano monitoring?
- 120 Seismic stations
- 90 GPS stations
What did the EU do with their airspace?
They developed better management for European airspace, meaning areas can be closed without closing the entire airspace
What did air travel companies do in the long term following the eruption?
Began testing safe limits of volcanic ash in jet engines
What did the Red cross provide for mentally affected people?
Psychological support
