Iceland Volcano Case Study- Eyjafjallajökull

Question 1

key info

Answer 1

date: March to May 2010

Question 2

background info

Answer 2

ice-clad and snow volcano
March: lava eruptions
April: Explosive ash eruptions
settled weather patterns with winds blowing towards Europe

Question 3

primary impacts

Answer 3

1. The ash plume reached 11,000m (fine grain ash causes damage to aircraft)
2. cancellation of flights
3. Ash blocked out the sun
4. damage to roads, buildings, services and crops

Question 4

secondary impacts

Answer 4

1. cancellation of sporting events
2. pause in fresh food imports (affecting Kenya as 5000 workers were laid off)
3. flash floods from glacial burst
4. water supplies contained with fluoride
5. EU airspace shut down for the rest of April 2010
6. £130 million loss for airlines daily

Question 5

opportunities

Answer 5

1. prevented 2.8 million tonnes of CO2 going into the atmosphere
2. other transport companies like the Eurostar benefited
3. plankton boom
4. increased tourism in Iceland

Question 6

responses

Answer 6

1. frequent evacuations
2. The EU has implemented integrated management of air traffic so that when a volcanic eruption occurs, the whole EU airspace won’t be affected, only certain areas
3. the EU Red Cross sent volunteers and staff to give counselling, food and resources