VOLCANIC ERUPTION – ICELAND (AC)
VOLCANOLOGY
Constructive plate margin – Eurasian and N American plates – Mid Atlantic Ridge
30 active volcano systems
3 major volcanoes – Hetla, Katla, Eyjafjallajokull
Mainly effusive eruptions however, Eyjafjallajokull = explosive
WHY PEOPLE LIVE THERE
Extremely fertile land for agriculture
Well-developed infrastructure
7th most productive country in the world
Political stability
Education and health standards are high
Most peaceful country in the world
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLITICAL IMPACTS OF ERUPTION – Eyjafjallajokull 2010 (VEI 2)
Social
No deaths however 500-600 evacuated
400 homes destroyed by lava flows and tephra (primary) and fires (secondary)
Infrastructure damage – road closures due to ash
Food shortages – animals killed and crops destroyed
Respiratory issues in long term due to ash inhalation
Economic
Local – farmers fields covered in ash and debris, crops destroyed, livestock killed decreased productivity
Global – ash cloud 6-day travel ban £1.1 billion loss for airline industry
However, positive impact = increased tourism and fertile soils
Environmental
Ash plume emitted gases and debris into atmosphere ash cloud – local and global consequences
Ash destroyed vegetation and compacted into thick compact layer of ash difficult to continue farming
Lava flows melted ice caps flooding
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR VOLCANIC ACTIVITY
Modify event itself
Lava cooling – preventing advance of lava by spraying it with cold water eg Heimaey – v successful due to
abundance of water available and slow moving lava.
Modify vulnerability
Meteorological Institute of Iceland noted unusual seismic activity – 3000 small earthquakes detected near
volcano aware of potential eruption could plan evacuation routes
Prediction meant fire brigades were put on standby and police posted evacuation plans – issued ‘Yellow’
warning – volcano active but eruption not imminent
500-600 evacuated to reduce vulnerability
Modify losses
Search and Rescue teams (ICE-SAR) 99 rescue units based all over the island
Aid – resources handed out eg face masks and goggles to prevent gas inhalation and protect eyes
VOLCANOLOGY
Constructive plate margin – Eurasian and N American plates – Mid Atlantic Ridge
30 active volcano systems
3 major volcanoes – Hetla, Katla, Eyjafjallajokull
Mainly effusive eruptions however, Eyjafjallajokull = explosive
WHY PEOPLE LIVE THERE
Extremely fertile land for agriculture
Well-developed infrastructure
7th most productive country in the world
Political stability
Education and health standards are high
Most peaceful country in the world
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLITICAL IMPACTS OF ERUPTION – Eyjafjallajokull 2010 (VEI 2)
Social
No deaths however 500-600 evacuated
400 homes destroyed by lava flows and tephra (primary) and fires (secondary)
Infrastructure damage – road closures due to ash
Food shortages – animals killed and crops destroyed
Respiratory issues in long term due to ash inhalation
Economic
Local – farmers fields covered in ash and debris, crops destroyed, livestock killed decreased productivity
Global – ash cloud 6-day travel ban £1.1 billion loss for airline industry
However, positive impact = increased tourism and fertile soils
Environmental
Ash plume emitted gases and debris into atmosphere ash cloud – local and global consequences
Ash destroyed vegetation and compacted into thick compact layer of ash difficult to continue farming
Lava flows melted ice caps flooding
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR VOLCANIC ACTIVITY
Modify event itself
Lava cooling – preventing advance of lava by spraying it with cold water eg Heimaey – v successful due to
abundance of water available and slow moving lava.
Modify vulnerability
Meteorological Institute of Iceland noted unusual seismic activity – 3000 small earthquakes detected near
volcano aware of potential eruption could plan evacuation routes
Prediction meant fire brigades were put on standby and police posted evacuation plans – issued ‘Yellow’
warning – volcano active but eruption not imminent
500-600 evacuated to reduce vulnerability
Modify losses
Search and Rescue teams (ICE-SAR) 99 rescue units based all over the island
Aid – resources handed out eg face masks and goggles to prevent gas inhalation and protect eyes
