Iceland - Eyjafjallajökull

Question 1

When

Answer 1

April 2010

Question 2

Why Icelandic eruptions more explosive (2+)

Answer 2

Volcanoes covered in ice caps
When they erupt = ice melts = flooding and huge ash clouds

Question 3

Why risk to population low (2+)

Answer 3

Population is sparsely populated
Eruptions are regular = people are more educated

Question 4

Main features of 2010 volcano (3+)

Answer 4

Magma poured into magma chamber = minor eruptions
Lava = viscous + slow
Ash ejectetion = small = 4km into atmosphere

Question 5

What happened on 14th (3)

Answer 5

Eruption became explosive
Ejected fine, rich, glass-like ash to over 8km into atmosphere
Ash picked up in jet stream and carried across Europe

Question 6

Local impacts (4+)

Answer 6

Flooding = ice melting
Disruption to farming = ash fell on farming pastures
Transport = ash blocked roads
Airport = Reykjavik airport closed several days = ash fall

Question 7

International impact (4)

Answer 7

Air space closure across mainland Europe
100,000 flights cancelled over 8 days
Accounted 48% total air traffic
10 million passengers effected

Question 8

Secondary impacts (3)

Answer 8

Mudslides = ash mixed with melted water
Tourism = helicopter, jeep and bus tours offered to visit site
By end of march = 10,000 visited

Question 9

Knock on effects of air space closure (3)

Answer 9

Cost to airlines = 1.2 billion
Travel agents lost 6 million in uk each day
Food and produce couldn’t been imported = Kenyan flower company lost 1.5m each day

Question 10

Long term impacts

Answer 10

Nutrients released from ash = improve soil quality

Question 11

Immediate responses (3)

Answer 11

800 locals evacuated = flooding
14-21 April European air space closed
Royal Navy warship collected retuning soldiers from afghan and stranded holidayers

Question 12

Long term responses (2)

Answer 12

Local flood defences and roads reconstructed
Close monitoring of Katla neighbouring volcano long overdue to erupt

Question 13

Evidence of protection through monitoring (3+)

Answer 13

Seismic activity = 3000 minor earthquake tremors
Produced computer modelling of lava flow = predict direction = barriers to divert
Icelandic meteorologist office = monitors water conditions = evacuation

Question 14

Examples of preparation (3+)

Answer 14

Iceland is very wealthy = high levels of education + high confidence in government
Experience regular eruptions = need warnings
National catastrophe insurance = community risk sharing

Question 15

Adaptions of Iceland (3)

Answer 15

Windows facing volcano = see eruptions
Steep slope roofs + smooth material = ash less likely to accumulate
Shutters for windows = air tight