2010 ERUPTIONS OF EYJAFJALLAJÖKULL

Region’s population and economy

Pop. Of the country-approx. 320 000 Around 2/3 live in the area of Reykjavik

(the capital), 120 000-in the city itself Economy heavily dependent on the

fishing industry: it brings about 40% of export earnings, contributes to the GDP by 12%, and employs around 7% of the workforce

Economy sensitive to the changes in the fish stock on world-market prices

Region’s population and economy

GDP per capita: 38 000 $ (very high, 27th place in the world)

Other main industries: aluminium smelting, geothermal and hydropower, tourism

Labour occupation: 73% -services, 22.2%-industry, 4.8% - agriculture

Generally wealthy country with strong economy, despite of a crisis in 2008

Preparation with regard to a volcano eruption

Education at school Seismic monitors around the country Experience with regard to volcanoes due

to previous eruptions Good ways of communication; radio,

telephones, communicates Generally well informed, aware and

communicative society

Vulnerability Aware and educated society The authorities and emergency services

well experieced and prepared Good infrastructure and means of

communication allow safe evacuation Good economical situation, so the

country can afford the emergency actions Most of the population lives away from

the volcano Generally little vulnerability

Perception of the hazard No surprise, people got used to live with

the volcano, It didn’t cause threat or panic, also due to

the fact that there was not much risk for a human life in this case

Has been perceived almost as normality, part of a cycle of a volcano

However the precautions and procedures are taken seriously by a society

probability of volcanoes in Iceland

High probability of occurrence because of the geographical location of Iceland.

 situated on a raised part of the oceanic crust, and not a continental land mass at all

Located on the mid-Atlantic ridge, a divergent tectonic plate boundary

geologically very active, hosting many active volcanoes and geysers

Frequency of occurrence Has experienced several volcanic

eruptions. Iceland is home to 130 volcanoes,

eighteen of which have erupted. The total lava flow from these eruptions have resulted in one third of the world's total laval outflow. 

worst ever volcanic eruption was in 1783 in the Lakagigar Crater, which caused the largest, single lava flow 

Frequency of occurrence  Eyjafjallajokull volcano in March 2010

 most active of these volcanoes is Grimsvotn, which last erupted in May 2011. 

Measures to reduce the risk and damage of a potential disaster

Evacuation of people from the volcanic active areas to safer grounds

Scientists working on an ash cloud detection system believe that airlines will soon be able to do just that.

 develop infrared technology to help pilots see and steer around ash clouds

Intensive awareness via media, internet and other technological means.

 AVOID (Airborne Volcanic Object Imaging Detector) which uses an infra-red camera to see how dense particular areas of ash are.

Spatial extent of the disaster

The ash cloud spread across Europe disrupting air travel in western europe.

more than 10 million passengers were affected when more than 100,000 flights were cancelled.

The Scandinavian countries were the most affected as they are closer to iceland

Duration and onset First a couple of tremors, before the first

eruption Second eruption followed a couple of

days later, and continued erupting First explosion: small amount of ice, no

danger of flooding, nearby area evacuated

Causes and Impacts, and International response

Situated above a hotspot, experiences frequent volcanic activity due to location on a diverging plate boundary

Airlines, whole airports were closed, huge ash cloud covering most of western Europe skyline; air traffic completely stopped due to dangerous ash and ice particles damaging the engine and the aircraft

Travellers stranded in airports unable to return

Bibliography A map: http://

www.welt-atlas.de/map_of_iceland_1-476 CIA the World Factbooks: https://

www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ic.html

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland