Volcanic eruption in an MEDC: Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland

Background

Where: April – May 2010

When: South Iceland, on Mid Atlantic Ridge

Causes

- Constructive (N, American + Eurasian plate)

- Fissure volcano: basalt

- Glacier above volcano melts as lava hot = ASH

Primary Hazards

- Lava fountains as basaltic lava

- Ash plume – 10km high

- Sulphur emitted

Secondary Hazards

- Eathquakes

- Flooding

- Gas + steam from melting glacier

- Local flooding from jokulhaup (surge of meltwater)

Warning Sings

- Shallow earthquakes

- Deformation of crust

- Minor eruptions on an ice free area of volcano

Management of threat

 - 700 locals evacuated

- 100,000 flights cancelled at Heathrow in 1 day

- Exclusion zone created

- Warning System: texts sent to locals with 30 min warning

Social Impacts

- 700 evacuated

- 100,000 flights…