CASE STUDY: Eyjafjallajokull Eruption 2010 - HIC
TOPIC: Restless Earth
Section of Syllabus: How developed is Eyjafjallajokull?
A case study of a volcanic eruption from the richer Iceland on a whole was ranked fourth-most
world – its specific cause, primary and secondary developed country in the world by the United
effects, immediate and long-term responses. Nations’ Human Development Index
Location Location Map
Located in Iceland
5km off the island’s southern Atlantic coast
About 120km southeast of Reykjavik
Causes of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano Key facts
Iceland lies on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, a 1. Height is 1651 meters
constructive plate margin separating the North 2. No deaths
Atlantic Plate and the Eurasian plate 3. The initial eruption resulted in the
Two plates moving apart due to ridge push grounding of thousands of flights across
along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Europe. It was the highest level of air
Triggered by a chain reaction of expanding travel disruption since World War 2
magma chambers descending into the Earth
Primary Effects Immediate Response
Roads destroyed Iceland responded by declaring a state of
The ash falls poisoned animals in nearby farms emergency and European airspace was closed as
Agricultural land was damaged, farms were hit a safety precaution
by heavy ash fall Warnings were issued to avoid the area
Secondary Effects Long Term Response
Travel was severely disrupted as many flights Roads and tracks were closed to tourists to
were cancelled between 14 and 21 April 2010 prevent risk of life
People were not able to attend work as roads The Red Cross opened emergency shelters in
were blocked nearby villages
The timing of the disruption was during the
Easter Holidays when levels of tourism are high
, CASE STUDY: Merapi Eruption 2010 - NEE
TOPIC: Restless Earth
Section of Syllabus: How developed is Merapi (Indonesia)?
A case study of a volcanic eruption from the richer 4th largest economy in East Asia, after China,
world – its specific cause, primary and secondary Japan, and South Korea
effects, immediate and long-term responses. Newly Emerging Economy
Location Location Map
Located in Java, Indonesia
28km north of Yogyakarta City
Located on a destructive plate margin, part of
the Pacific Ring of Fire
Causes of the volcano Key facts
Indo-Australian Plate being subducted 353 people were killed and 577 people were
beneath the Eurasian Plate injured
Located on a destructive plate margin 350,000 people were made homeless
Mostly farmers lost their homes and livelihoods
Primary Effects Immediate Response
Volcanic bombs and heat clouds, with 210 evacuation centres were set up in schools,
temperatures up to 800 degrees, spread over churches, stadiums, and government offices
10km An exclusion zone of 20km was established
1. Pyroclastic flows travelled 3km down the around the volcano
heavily populated mountain sides International aid was offered from governments
2. Volcanic ash fell up to 30km away and and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
travelled 6km into the sky such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Secondary Effects Long Term Response
1. Ash clouds caused major disruption to aviation 2682 people were moved to new, safer houses
across the region permanently
2. Schools were closed The government made money available to
3. Vegetable prices increased because of the farmers to help replace their livestock
damage to crops Dams have been built in valleys to hold back
lahars
TOPIC: Restless Earth
Section of Syllabus: How developed is Eyjafjallajokull?
A case study of a volcanic eruption from the richer Iceland on a whole was ranked fourth-most
world – its specific cause, primary and secondary developed country in the world by the United
effects, immediate and long-term responses. Nations’ Human Development Index
Location Location Map
Located in Iceland
5km off the island’s southern Atlantic coast
About 120km southeast of Reykjavik
Causes of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano Key facts
Iceland lies on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, a 1. Height is 1651 meters
constructive plate margin separating the North 2. No deaths
Atlantic Plate and the Eurasian plate 3. The initial eruption resulted in the
Two plates moving apart due to ridge push grounding of thousands of flights across
along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Europe. It was the highest level of air
Triggered by a chain reaction of expanding travel disruption since World War 2
magma chambers descending into the Earth
Primary Effects Immediate Response
Roads destroyed Iceland responded by declaring a state of
The ash falls poisoned animals in nearby farms emergency and European airspace was closed as
Agricultural land was damaged, farms were hit a safety precaution
by heavy ash fall Warnings were issued to avoid the area
Secondary Effects Long Term Response
Travel was severely disrupted as many flights Roads and tracks were closed to tourists to
were cancelled between 14 and 21 April 2010 prevent risk of life
People were not able to attend work as roads The Red Cross opened emergency shelters in
were blocked nearby villages
The timing of the disruption was during the
Easter Holidays when levels of tourism are high
, CASE STUDY: Merapi Eruption 2010 - NEE
TOPIC: Restless Earth
Section of Syllabus: How developed is Merapi (Indonesia)?
A case study of a volcanic eruption from the richer 4th largest economy in East Asia, after China,
world – its specific cause, primary and secondary Japan, and South Korea
effects, immediate and long-term responses. Newly Emerging Economy
Location Location Map
Located in Java, Indonesia
28km north of Yogyakarta City
Located on a destructive plate margin, part of
the Pacific Ring of Fire
Causes of the volcano Key facts
Indo-Australian Plate being subducted 353 people were killed and 577 people were
beneath the Eurasian Plate injured
Located on a destructive plate margin 350,000 people were made homeless
Mostly farmers lost their homes and livelihoods
Primary Effects Immediate Response
Volcanic bombs and heat clouds, with 210 evacuation centres were set up in schools,
temperatures up to 800 degrees, spread over churches, stadiums, and government offices
10km An exclusion zone of 20km was established
1. Pyroclastic flows travelled 3km down the around the volcano
heavily populated mountain sides International aid was offered from governments
2. Volcanic ash fell up to 30km away and and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
travelled 6km into the sky such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Secondary Effects Long Term Response
1. Ash clouds caused major disruption to aviation 2682 people were moved to new, safer houses
across the region permanently
2. Schools were closed The government made money available to
3. Vegetable prices increased because of the farmers to help replace their livestock
damage to crops Dams have been built in valleys to hold back
lahars
