Restless Earth Case Study - Eyjafjallajökull

Question 1

Where was the eruption?

Answer 1

In Iceland, on the midatlantic ridge, a constructive plate boundary between the Eurasian and North American plates

Question 2

What were the local impacts?

Answer 2

• Evacuation of 800 people
• Damage to homes, roads and services, including local flood defences needing repairs
• Local water supplied contaminated by fluoride

Question 3

What were the national impacts?

Answer 3

• Decrease in tourism, affecting the economy
• Roads washed away by glacial meltwater floods
• Decrease in agricultural production

Question 4

What were the international impacts?

Answer 4

• Cancellation of 100,000 European flights, making up for 48%of air traffic
• This affected 10 million passengers and costed £80 million
• Stopped the ability to transport imports and exports of goods such as food

Question 5

What were the consequences of the eruption?

Answer 5

• Encouraged new tourism to the volcano
• Lava and ash have made soils rich in nutrients
• Rocks can be used for buildings
• Small quantities of valuable minerals (such as copper, gold, lead, silver and zinc) can be found
• Geothermal energy is more accessible

Question 6

When was the eruption?

Answer 6

March 2010 and continued for 2 months. Lava eruptions first, then lots of ash from mid-April