Eyjafjallajökull (E15) Case Study

Question 1

Where did this eruption occur?

Answer 1

In Southern Iceland beneath a glacier

Question 2

When did this eruption occur?

Answer 2

April 2010

Question 3

On what plate boundary does Iceland lie?

Answer 3

Constructive plate boundary (Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

Question 4

What were the prediction techniques used?

Answer 4

• Seismic activity recorded in 2009
• Ground deformation recorded in early 2010

Question 5

What was the main impact of the eruption?

Answer 5

European air space was closed as a large ash cloud was blown towards mainland Europe by the strong prevailing winds

Question 6

How many airline passengers were left stranded?

Answer 6

7 million

Question 7

What was the main damage to Iceland’s infrastructure?

Answer 7

The main ring road was damaged

Question 8

How many people were evacuated?

Answer 8

800 people from farming communities

Question 9

How were the evacuated population aided?

Answer 9

The European Red Cross provided food for the farming communities

Question 10

What was the daily loss in productivity?

Answer 10

£400 million

Question 11

How much did the airline industry lose over 6 days?

Answer 11

£1.2 billion

Question 12

What was the eruption’s impact on Kenya?

Answer 12

Daily loss of £1.3 million in horticulture exports to the EU

Question 13

How far was ash ejected into the atmosphere?

Answer 13

9km

Question 14

What was the main long-term response from the EU?

Answer 14

A new air traffic management system was developed with 9 zones which replaced the existing 27

Question 15

What was the main long-term response from Iceland?

Answer 15

A tourism campaign was developed which has been very successful

Question 16

What was the main environmental benefit of the eruption?

Answer 16

European air space closure prevented 3 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions

Question 17

What impact did ash fall have on oceans?

Answer 17

Triggered plankton blooms due to an increase in marine nutrients

Question 18

What was the main secondary hazard caused by the eruption?

Answer 18

Glacial outburst flooding (jökulhlaups)

Question 19

How much did UK travel agencies lose daily?

Answer 19

£6 million

Question 20

What other secondary hazard was triggered by the eruption?

Answer 20

Lahars

Question 21

In what areas has the eruption led to long-term research into?

Answer 21

Plane engine design and ash cloud forecasting

Question 22

What was the main economic benefit of the eruption?

Answer 22

Eurostar experienced increased profit as well as an extra 50,000 passengers on their trains

Question 23

What was the magnitude of the volcano?

Answer 23

VEI 4

Question 24

Why was the main eruption in April particularly explosive?

Answer 24

Ice rapidly vapourised and molten magma fragmented into ash as the eruption occurred underneath a glacier

Question 25

Which plates diverge at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

Answer 25

North American and Eurasian plates