Eyjafjallajokull - Natural Hazards

Question 1

background/ cause

Answer 1

> on mid Atlantic ridge and move apart at 2.5cm/yr
constructive boundary led to magma rising o the surface
sub-glacial nature, more violent than normal
14th to 20th April 2010

Question 2

effects

Answer 2

> 250 million cubic meters of ash
airspace closed 6 days, 95,000 flights cancelled
£1.1 billion in losses from airline
currencies tied to tourist revenue fell due to lack of visitors
flooding due to 150m thick ice cap melted.
20 farms totally destroyed
30000 tonnes co2 released into atmosphere each day
Kenya’s economy struggled as food and flowers couldn’t be sold
50000 farmers temporarily unemployed as 1 million cut flower stalks went unsold
ash led to fluoride being put into local water supplies

Question 3

social effects

Answer 3

> 20 farms destroyed
95,000 flights cancelled
thick ash meant 500 locals evacuated
1.7 million tourists now come every year
residents under the flight path pleased with the ‘peace of no flights’

Question 4

economic effects

Answer 4

> no trade - 20% of Kenya’s trade is for flowers, loss of trade economy
£1.1 billion in losses from airline industry alone
50,000 Kenyan farmers were unemployed
increased amount of tourism
staff stranded abroad = loss of economy in all sectors worldwide

Question 5

short term responses

Answer 5

> 500 farmers evacuated (700 people)
evacuated people were cared for by 60 red cross members
95,000 flights cancelled
1500 beds set up in Schiphol airport
24 hour emergency info line
British Red Cross sent two psychosocial support teams
European red cross went to airports and provided beds and bedding for stranded people

Question 6

long term responses

Answer 6

> rivers deepened - new flood defences
research on jet engines for flying through ash
well trained national emergency agency
volcano insurance on vehicles and properties around the volcano
new warning system that sent texts
road embankment reconstruction
compensation given to travellers