Iceland Eruption 2010

• 3 people per km squared, 300,000 overall population so few people affected
• GDP 41,461 USD over 20k lower than in 2007, so less money for resources
• Located on Mid-Atlantic Ridge where North American and Eurasian plates move apart
• Less prepared as hadn't erupted since 1823 but Katla volcano east of it more dangerous and active
• VEI 4 but glacier cooled lava quickly causing large volumes of fine ash to form
• 150m ice cap melted causing flooding, 20 farms were destroyed and rivers raised 3m
• Wind carried ash SE towards Europe so most inhabited areas of Iceland unaffected
• 8 day flight ban due to ash, 107,000 flights cancelled (48% of air traffic), airlines lost £130 million a day
• 20% of Kenyan economy based on exports of green vegetables to Europe, flight ban caused 50k farmers to be unemployed
• Warning texts sent to locals 30 minutes before largest eruption, evacuation of 500 farmers
• 89% of homes heated by geothermal heating in 2005, has happened since 1930
• Main roads bulldozed to allow floodwaters to spill into the sea and protect residents
• Main benefit is geothermal energy (20% supplied - rest is hydroelectric)
• 360,000 tourists in 2004 creating 6800 jobs and 5.1% of GDP
• Unique enzymes found in hot springs such as DNA polymerases used in forensics