Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland - Mega Disaster Flashcards
(15 cards)
Date
Began in March 2010, major explosive phase in April.
Type of volcano
Stratovolcano beneath a glacier; explosive due to glacial melt mixing with magma.
Ash cloud impact
Disrupted air travel across Europe for 6 days.
Flights cancelled
Over 100,000 flights were cancelled; 10million passengers affected.
Economic loss
Estimated $1.7 billion loss to the aviation industry
Local impact
Flooding from glacial meltwater, farmland covered in ash.
Livestock affected
Farmers had to shelter animals due to contaminated water
Tourism effects
Short term drop in tourism, but long term increase due to volcano interest
Response from Iceland
Quick evacuation of 800 people; no fatalities.
Monitoring success
IMO (Icelandic meteorological office) accurately forecasted the eruption.
European response
Airspace closure revealed lack of coordinated European aviation strategy
Long term change
Aviation authorities developed better models for ash dispersion.
Geo political impact.
Showed how a local hazard can have global consequences.
Environmental effects
Ash improved soil fertility in some regions.
Resilience and adaptation
Iceland improved infrastructure and emergency response post eruption.
