Eyjafallajökull Flashcards
Where is it located
South Iceland
On the Eurasian and N.A plate boundary
What date did it erupt
20th March 2010, explosive phase began on 20th April
What is the population density of Iceland
3 people per km
LOW
Give some background to the eruption (composition + VEI)
Composite volcano with huge 70km ash cloud and andesitic lava
Volcanic Eruption Index = 4
What was the cause of the eruption
Combination of one body of magma (made up mostly of the common volcanic rock basalt) with another type of magma (consisting largely of silicon rich tracheyndesetic)
Give 4 environmental impacts
River temperature increased by 6°C in 2 hours and became contaminated by fluoride
Jokulhaups - glacial outburst flood due to the hot magma
3000 tonnes of CO2 where released per day (global warming + air pollution) - HOWEVER, there was a net lowering of CO2 emissions from disputed flights (2.8 million tonnes CO2)
Hindered farming in short term as livestock needed shelter indoors to escape the ash fallout
Give 3 political impacts
Airline disruption caused UK flight to be cancelled - disrupting the 2010 UK election campaign
18th April - Pakistan PM cancelled trip to France + Brussels
Funeral of Polish Pm not attended by many key political figures, including Obama
Give 4 primary social impacts
500 farmers and their families evacuated
No deaths/injury
High levels of respiratory problems and lung irritation
Farmer houses destroyed by glacial floodwater
Give 4 secondary social impacts
10 million people left stranded from flight disruption
2010 Japanese motorcycle grand prix postponed
Many participants of the Boston Marathon unable to attend
Give 6 economic impacts
7000 BMW vehicles not produced due to disrupted supply
100,000 flights cancelled during 6 day travel ban. Airlines lost $1.7 trillion and airports lost $80 million
Price sales in major airlines fell by 3%
13 UK travel firms collapsed
Kenya forced to destroy 4000 tonnes of flowers - loosing £2.4 million per day and leading to 50,000 farmers becoming temporarily unemployed
Zambia vegetable industry lost £100,000 per day
Why were parents left vulnerable in Europe
Time sensitive medical drugs couldn’t be transported
Give some immediate response (domestic)
Overnight evacuation of 800 farmers + families
Face masks given to rescue workers to prevent choking and hep with respiratory problems
24 hour helpline set up
Widespread information campaign to alert citizens of the risk of volcanic ash
Give some immediate response (international)
Amsterdam airport provided 1,500 beds for stranded people
France deportation centre to coordinate support and shelter for 400 people
Norway - emergency standby teams for grounded planes and helicopters, and providing transport/support for the injured
Give two long term responses
Roads reconstructed
New infrastructure constructed to cater for new tourist interest
Give 4 examples of risk management for the future
Flood defences put in place
Research into ash effects on airlines - improved detection on planes + ground
Iceland’s meteorological Office monitors Iceland’s volcanoes - sophisticated network of instruments (GPS< Seismic Stations, gas monitoring stations)
Since the eruption the EU funded a project called Future Vole - improved monitoring + increased integration/sharing of information between European metrological + geological agencies.
Stronger position to respond to further events
