Iceland 2010

• Began 20 march, on a constructive plate boundary between North America-Eurasian plate. 500m long fissure volcano - basaltic lava (fluid). There is a glacier above the volcanoe.
• Hazards:

  • 10km high ash plume containing Sulphur, which reached the stratosphere. Causing huge problems for air travel in Europe
  • earthquakes
  • flooding from jokulhaups due to melting of a glacier
• Warning Signs:

  • shallow earthquakes
  • deformation of the crust
  • minor eruptions
• Impacts (economic):

  • plume stopped 100,000 jets ( extra business for ferries)
  • Horticulture lost £3 million a day
• Impacts (social):

  • ash contaminated drinking water supplies, respiratory illness for locals and left many stranded (no flights)
• Impacts (evironmental):

  • 2.8 million tonnes less co2 and less noise from aircrafts
  • river (Jokulhaup) was 100x its capacity
  • Fluoride deposits poisoned cattle
  • surrounding rivers were stilted with ash
  • ash made soil fertile
• Long-term Response:

  • Icelandic government rebuilt river banks higher than before
• Preparedness

  • diggers were ready to dam rivers
  • 30 minute text warning to locals
• Immediate Response:

  • 700 locals evacuated
  • 100,000 flights cancelled during a 6-day ban