Eyjafjallajökull 2010 Flashcards
Impact of ash cloud
Cancelled 100,000 flights - affecting 10 million passengers
Losses of £1.1 billion to airline industry
Impact of glacial flooding
Ice cap melted causing lagars (mudflows)
Positive impact of the eruption
Iceland’s tourism industry grew after the eruption, attracting visitors
Where was the eruption
Iceland
Long term management from the earthquake
improved volcanic monitoring
-monior future eruptions
reconstruction and tourism
-farms and roads were rebuilt with aid
-volcano is now a major tourist attraction
How did it get its name
Eyja meaning island;
fjalla meaning mountain;
and jokull meaning glacier
What causes it to erupt
Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a constructive plate margin separating the North American and Eurasian plates.
The two plates move apart due to ridge push along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. As the plates move apart, magma fills the magma chamber below Eyjafjallajokull
Secondary effects
Sporting events were cancelled or affected due to cancelled flights.
Fresh food imports stopped, and industries were affected by a lack of imported raw materials.
Local water supplies were contaminated with fluoride.
Flooding was caused as the glacier melted.
What oppurtunites did Eyjafjallajokul bring
the grounding of European flights prevented some 2.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
There was a considerable increase in passenger numbers on Eurostar. It saw a rise of nearly a third, with 50,000 extra passengers travelling on their trains.
Where is it situated
The volcano is situated on a
constructive plate boundary
between the North American
and Eurasian plate.
hazards from eyjafjallajokull
10km high ash plume,
containing sulphur, was
emitted. This reached the
stratosphere and caused huge
problems for air-travel in
Europe.
Some earthquakes
Flooding from a jökulhaup
river due to the melting of the
glacier.
Warning signs
Shallow earthquakes.
Deformation of the crust.
Minor eruptions.
Economic impactss
The ash plume stopped 100,000 jet engines, just in Europe.
● However, the channel tunnel and ferries did extra business. 😊
● Europe lost US$2.6 billion GDP.
● Horticulture lost £3 million a day.
● The ash made Icelandic soil so fertile farmers could produce rapeseed oil and grapes
social impacts
● 700 people evacuated due to the flooding from the melted glacier.
● The ash contaminated drinking water supplies.
● Ash caused respiratory illnesses for some locals.
● Cancelled flights left many stranded in different countries.
Environmental impacts of eyjafjallaojokul
Less aircraft noise and 2.8 million tonnes less CO2 due to flight bans.😊
● Jökulhaup river became 100x its normal capacity.
● Fluoride deposits on grazing land poisoned cattle.
● Fertiliser for the surrounding land was not needed. 😊
● Surrounding rivers were silted with ash.
