HIC Case Study: E15 Volcanic Eruption Flashcards
1
Q
Location/ background
A
- Positioned on the Mid Atlantic Ridge -> number of active volcanoes
- 14th April 2010 -> huge explosive eruption
- A volcano completely covered by an ice cap
- A stratovolcano 1651m high
- Erupted between March and May 2010
- Constructive plate margin separating North American and Eurasian Plate- ridge push occurs
- Located below a glacier
2
Q
Risk and vulnerability of the population
A
- Many volcanoes are covered by ice caps feeding glaciers, which means eruptions melt ice causing flooding and ash clouds.
- Positioned on the Mid Atlantic Ridge - number of active volcanoes
- Little risk as so few of them live in this part of Iceland -> threat comes from the ash cloud -> flights restricted, inability to travel
3
Q
Primary/ secondary hazards
A
- Flooding from melted ice caps
- Ash cloud
4
Q
Activity prior to the eruption
A
- Early 2010, seismic activity detected
- Minor eruptions followed and then volcano went quiet for short period
5
Q
Economic effects
A
- European countries forced to shut down air space
- Crops destroyed
6
Q
Social effects
A
- Nearly 1000 people evacuated
- Services disrupted
- Homes damaged
- Roads washed away
7
Q
Environmental effects
A
- Local water supplies contaminated with fluoride
- Prevented 2.8 million tonnes of Co2 into atmosphere
8
Q
Political effects
A
- Kenya’s flower council says the country lost $1.3 million a day in lost shipments to Europe.
- Icelandic government launched a campaign to promote tourism.
9
Q
Management
A
Short term:
- Area around volcano was evacuated
- European Red Cross Societies: mobilises staff, volunteers and other resources
- provided food for farmers
- provided counselling
- European Union: developed an integrated structure for air traffic management -> 9 functional air space blocks will replace existing 27 areas
- ICD prepared contingency plans based on hazard assessment
