Eyjafjallajokull Flashcards
When and where did the Eyjafjallajokull eruption take place?
The eruption took place in 2010, 120km southeast of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik.
How long did the Eyjafjallajokull eruption last?
The eruption started on April 14th and lasted up until May 22nd. lasting over a month.
What were the primary hazards of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption?
The release of volcanic ash, and the release of toxic gases.
What were the secondary hazards of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption?
Acid rain was caused by the release of toxic gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.
Flooding and landslides were caused by the melting of the glacier on top of Eyjafjallajokull.
What were the social impacts of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption?
Several schools and businesses were closed, and many people suffered from respiratory problems. Over 800 people from nearby farms and villages were evacuated and the disruption to air travel caused by the ash cloud caused thousands to be left stranded.
What were the economic impacts of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption?
There were significant losses in the aviation and tourism industries, with an estimated $1.7 billion lost in the aviation industry, and there was a large cost to clear up all the ash. Furthermore, Icelandic agriculture industry (product and export of wheat, potatoes, etc.) was halted as ash deposition affected crop yields and health of the livestock.
What were the political impacts of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption?
The eruption led to international political tensions as other countries criticized Iceland’s handling of the situation. It also forced counties throughout Europe to deploy emergency response teams and activate crisis management plans.
What were the environmental impacts of the Eyjafjallajokull eruptions?
The volcano’s eruption released toxic gases and the melting of glaciers, which led to flooding (which led to a local river holding 100 times its capacity) and landslides. The ash clouds produced by the eruption had a significant impact on the air quality in the region, even spreading as far as North America.
What were the short-term responses to the eruption?
Residents that were in the immediate vicinity of the volcano were evacuated to avoid casualties. The evacuation was completed in a timed and orderly manner with support from the police, but some ignored evacuation orders.
Airspace across Europe was closed and thousands of flighs were closed, and thousands of flights were cancelled to prevent planes flying through ash clouds. It is recognised today that some of the restrictions imposed on air travel during the eruption were overly cautious and not entirely necessary (but better safe than sorry, I guess)
