Eyjafjallajokull 2010

A case study of a tectonic hazard event in a MEDC

Level of development of Iceland:

• GDP: $36,483
• Human Development Index: 0.906
• Life expectancy: 81

Effects of the eruption:

• A 500 metre fissure opened up, melting part of the glacier above the volcano. This flooded the local area damaging roads and farmlands
• A huge column of volanic ash 11,000m high was released, poisoning farms animals, damaging land and preventing people going outdoors. This was created from the steam produced when melting the thick glacier above the volcano
• 7000 people evacuated from the direct vicinity of the volcano
• 107,000 flights cancelled over a 8-day period - coincided with Easter holiday
• Estimated $12 billion loss to airline industries
• Businesses lost trade too, with lots perishable food wasted. Impacts growers (Kenya)