Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010 Flashcards
Case study knowledge
How did the ice cap affect the explosivity of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption?
The rising magma melted the ice cap, and the meltwater flowed into the crater, increasing the eruption’s explosivity. The water and lava interaction led to powerful steam explosions, ejecting ash high into the atmosphere.
What caused the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010?
The eruption was caused by rising magma from a constructive plate boundary (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) combined with a hot spot beneath Iceland, leading to volcanic activity. The eruption occurred under an ice cap, which melted and added to the explosivity.
What was the main hazard of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption?
The main hazard was the ash cloud, which reached up to 10km high and spread across Northern Europe, severely disrupting air travel.
How did the ash cloud from the eruption affect air travel in Europe?
The fine ash was carried into the Polar Jet Stream, affecting air travel across Northern Europe, including the UK and Scandinavia. Thousands of flights were canceled due to the risk of ash entering jet engines, causing them to fail.
What were the local impacts of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption?
Locally, the eruption caused evacuations due to flooding from melted ice, fluoride deposition on grazing lands, and respiratory hazards from ash. It also disrupted the local fishing industry.
What were the economic impacts of the eruption on Europe?
The European economy lost an estimated $2.6 billion in GDP, with airline companies and travel businesses losing millions. The closure of airspace caused global disruptions, including delays in trade and transportation of goods.
How did the eruption affect industries further afield?
The ash cloud halted air freight, affecting global industries like automotive and electronics. For example, car production stopped in the USA due to a lack of parts from Europe, and millions of flowers were wasted in Kenya
How did the eruption impact global air travel?
The eruption paralyzed global air travel, closing major European hubs and affecting trans-Atlantic flights. Key international figures were stranded, and global events were canceled or postponed.
Were there any positive impacts of the eruption?
The disruption led to reduced air traffic noise and a significant drop in carbon dioxide emissions during the grounding of flights. The situation also fostered cooperation and alternative transport solutions.
