EYJAFJALLAJÖKULL
Icelandic Volcano Case Study (2010)
Overview & Characteristics
Eyjafjallajökull (pronounced AY-uh-fyat-luh-YOE-kuutl) is a volcano located in Iceland. The
name itself is a literal description of its geography: Eyja means island, fjalla means mountain,
and jökull means glacier. It consists of a composite (stratovolcano) completely covered by an ice
cap spanning approximately 100 square kilometres. The mountain stands 1,651 metres (5,417
ft) at its highest point and features a crater 3–4 kilometres in diameter.
When & Why Did It Erupt?
The major eruptive phase occurred between March and May 2010, with a particularly powerful
explosive phase beginning on April 14. Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a constructive
plate margin separating the North American and Eurasian plates. As these plates move apart
due to ridge push, magma fills the chamber below Eyjafjallajökull.
While the eruption itself was relatively moderate (Volcanic Explosivity Index of 3), the
combination of a settled weather pattern with winds blowing towards Europe, very fine ash, and
a persistent eruption lasting 39 days magnified its impact into a major global event.
Impacts of the Eruption
PRIMARY EFFECTS
• The dense ash cloud turned day to night locally, forcing rescuers to wear face masks to avoid
choking.
• Homes and roads were damaged, services were severely disrupted, and crops were
destroyed by falling ash.
• The ash cloud brought European airspace to a standstill during late April 2010, resulting in
billions of euros in delays. Airlines lost an estimated £130 million per day as a massive no-
fly zone was imposed.
Icelandic Volcano Case Study (2010)
Overview & Characteristics
Eyjafjallajökull (pronounced AY-uh-fyat-luh-YOE-kuutl) is a volcano located in Iceland. The
name itself is a literal description of its geography: Eyja means island, fjalla means mountain,
and jökull means glacier. It consists of a composite (stratovolcano) completely covered by an ice
cap spanning approximately 100 square kilometres. The mountain stands 1,651 metres (5,417
ft) at its highest point and features a crater 3–4 kilometres in diameter.
When & Why Did It Erupt?
The major eruptive phase occurred between March and May 2010, with a particularly powerful
explosive phase beginning on April 14. Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a constructive
plate margin separating the North American and Eurasian plates. As these plates move apart
due to ridge push, magma fills the chamber below Eyjafjallajökull.
While the eruption itself was relatively moderate (Volcanic Explosivity Index of 3), the
combination of a settled weather pattern with winds blowing towards Europe, very fine ash, and
a persistent eruption lasting 39 days magnified its impact into a major global event.
Impacts of the Eruption
PRIMARY EFFECTS
• The dense ash cloud turned day to night locally, forcing rescuers to wear face masks to avoid
choking.
• Homes and roads were damaged, services were severely disrupted, and crops were
destroyed by falling ash.
• The ash cloud brought European airspace to a standstill during late April 2010, resulting in
billions of euros in delays. Airlines lost an estimated £130 million per day as a massive no-
fly zone was imposed.
