Eyjafjallajökull

• where was Eyjafallajokull


  Southern Iceland, East of Reykjavik. On the border of the North American Plate and Eurasian plate boundary (Convergent).
• what type of volcano is eyjafallajokull

  composite
• GDP per capita of Iceland

  $45,000
• urban population of Iceland?

  94%
• what type of eruption in eyjafallajokull was common

  fissure eruptions (laval flow more dominant of west side)
• how tall was eyjafallajokulls ash plume

  11km
• what were the local effects of Eyjafallajokull

  - glacier melted causing widespread flooding (700 people evacuated)

  - fine ash caused blockages in sewers and rivers leading to flooding

  - 20 farms destroyed by flooding and ash

  - roads and local infrastructure destroyed (flash flooding)

  - loss of land for agriculture
• global effects of eyjafallajokull

  - 100,000 flights in total cancelled

  - $1.7 billion loss in revenue for airlines

  - much of European airspace became closed
• response to eyjafallajokull


  - 500 evacuated by Icelandic authorities

  - effective warning system sent texts to residents with a 30 min warning

  - scientists predicted the eruption

  - farmers briefed on how to protect livestock for example not allowing them to drink contaminated water.

  - compensation for those stranded and new regulations for aircraft regarding volcanic ash.
• Main issue was the major ash plume reaching 11 km feet into the air. Had a huge knock on effect on air travel.
• Jökulhlaups occurred as the glacier on the volcano melted flooding nearby areas.

  700 people evacuated.
• Emitted lava from a fissure.
• VEI of 4.
• Wind carried ash eastwards and not south towards the main population
• Water supplies were contaminated, and livestock were in some cases killed. The ash devastated local agriculture and ruined soils.
• Airlines lost $130 million a day. In total over $1.5 billion
• LEDCs were effected. Kenya for example lost millions as goods such as flowers couldn’t be exported due to fights being grounded. 
• Over 10 million people stranded or unable to board flights
• Close observations meant that the eruption was predicted and therefore warnings where sent and people were evacuated  meaning no deaths occurred.
• Occurred in 2010
• Name of the Icelandic volcano

  Eyjafjallajokull