Main question

What were the impacts of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption?

• Resource A

  
  
  

  Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Iceland.

  
  
  

  Seismic activity began at the end of 2009, and then increased in intensity. On 29 March 2010 a small eruption occurred which opened a 500 metre fissure on the side of the volcano - lava flowed from this. In addition steam and ash were ejected from the volcano. A major eruption started on 14 April 2010 and again in May, throwing clouds of ash into the air. In October 2010 it was noted that the eruption had officially ended.

  
  

  The image below was taken on 24 March 2010. The colours are natural.

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

  Source: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=43252

  Copyright: - © NASA

• Resource B

  
  
  
  
  
  

  Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Iceland.

  
  
  

  15 April 2010. Satellite image of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption. The natural colour image on the left shows an ash cloud in a brown colour. The image on the right is a composite thermal infrared picture. Here the ash cloud is red and the ice-rich clouds are blue. Sulphur dioxide (yellow) is not visible, as the ash covers it.

  
  
  
  

  

  
  
  

  Source: https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA13046

  Copyright: - © NASA/GSFC/JPL

• Resource C

  
  
  

  Impacts of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption:

  
  

  • • Ash, steam and lava ejected from the volcano.
  • • Ice melted on the Eyjafjallajokull glacier causing a jökulhlaup.
  • • The ash damaged agricultural land and crops on neighbouring farms. Animals were poisoned by the ash. Damage was caused to homes. The ash filled river channels - this was still a problem a year later.
  • • The air space of 20 European countries was closed due to fears concerning the impact of ash. 100,000 flights were delayed, affecting 10 million passengers. Products were unable to be transported internationally, e.g. food and flowers from countries such as Kenya. Airlines suffered losses of around £130 million a day. London's tourism industry lost over £100 million. International sporting events, e.g. the Boston Marathon were affected.
  • • The jökulhlaup flooded some areas. Roads were destroyed. The embankment of one of the county’s main southern roads was deliberately damaged to allow water to flow to the sea. It was rebuilt within a year but this proved to be expensive.
  • • 500 farmers and their families were evacuated from the area near the volcano but they were soon allowed to return. 20 farms were destroyed by floods or ash.
  • • No person was killed or injured. However studies show that there are higher levels of people with respiratory and skin problems in the area. There are also higher levels of stress amongst the local population.
  • • People had to stay indoors or wear masks and goggles because of the ash.
  • • Eyjafjallajökull is now a new tourist attraction with a tourist centre.