Eyjafjallajökull (E15) Case Study Flashcards

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1
Q

Where did this eruption occur?

A

In Southern Iceland beneath a glacier

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2
Q

When did this eruption occur?

A

April 2010

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3
Q

On what plate boundary does Iceland lie?

A

Constructive plate boundary (Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

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4
Q

What were the prediction techniques used?

A
  • Seismic activity recorded in 2009
  • Ground deformation recorded in early 2010
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5
Q

What was the main impact of the eruption?

A

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

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6
Q

How many airline passengers were left stranded?

A

7 million

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7
Q

What was the main damage to Iceland’s infrastructure?

A

The main ring road was damaged

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8
Q

How many people were evacuated?

A

800 people from farming communities

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9
Q

How were the evacuated population aided?

A

The European Red Cross provided food for the farming communities

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10
Q

What was the daily loss in productivity?

A

£400 million

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11
Q

How much did the airline industry lose over 6 days?

A

£1.2 billion

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12
Q

What was the eruption’s impact on Kenya?

A

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

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13
Q

How far was ash ejected into the atmosphere?

A

9km

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14
Q

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

A

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

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15
Q

What was the main long-term response from Iceland?

A

A tourism campaign was developed which has been very successful

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16
Q

What was the main environmental benefit of the eruption?

A

European air space closure prevented 3 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions

17
Q

What impact did ash fall have on oceans?

A

Triggered plankton blooms due to an increase in marine nutrients

18
Q

What was the main secondary hazard caused by the eruption?

A

Glacial outburst flooding (jökulhlaups)

19
Q

How much did UK travel agencies lose daily?

A

£6 million

20
Q

What other secondary hazard was triggered by the eruption?

A

Lahars

21
Q

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

A

Plane engine design and ash cloud forecasting

22
Q

What was the main economic benefit of the eruption?

A

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

23
Q

What was the magnitude of the volcano?

A

VEI 4

24
Q

Why was the main eruption in April particularly explosive?

A

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

25
Q

Which plates diverge at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

A

North American and Eurasian plates