iceland volcano Flashcards
(10 cards)
When did the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption occur, and where is it located?
The Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption occurred in April 2010 in Iceland.
What geographical factors caused the Eyjafjallajökull eruption?
The eruption was caused by tectonic plate movement at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American Plate and Eurasian Plate meet, and by hotspot activity above a mantle hotspot in Iceland.
What role did magma accumulation play in the Eyjafjallajökull eruption?
Magma accumulated beneath Eyjafjallajökull over time, and when pressure reached a critical point, it forced its way through cracks in the Earth’s crust, causing the eruption.
How did the glacial cover of Eyjafjallajökull impact the eruption?
The glacial cover caused glacial meltwater, which intensified the eruption, triggered flooding, and led to landslides, exacerbating the eruption’s effects.
What was the most significant impact of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption?
The most significant impact was the disruption to air travel due to the ash cloud, which led to the closure of airspace over Europe, affecting over 100,000 flights and causing $1.7 billion in losses to the aviation industry.
How did the Eyjafjallajökull eruption cause local flooding?
The eruption melted large amounts of ice, causing flooding in nearby rivers, which damaged roads, bridges, and farmland, and made some areas temporarily inaccessible.
What environmental damage was caused by the Eyjafjallajökull eruption?
The eruption caused ashfall, which contaminated soil and water sources, affecting agriculture and making grazing for livestock impossible in some areas.
How did the volcanic ash from Eyjafjallajökull affect human health?
The volcanic ash cloud caused respiratory problems, especially for people with pre-existing lung conditions, and also worsened air quality in the region.
What were the economic impacts of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption?
The eruption led to global economic impacts, with losses in the aviation industry due to flight cancellations, as well as damage to Iceland’s tourism, agriculture, and fishing sectors.
How did the Eyjafjallajökull eruption affect global weather patterns?
The ash cloud from the eruption blocked some sunlight, causing cooling in certain regions and influencing weather patterns in parts of Europe and Asia, though the effects were short-lived.
