7.2. HIC Case Study: E15 Volcanic Eruption

Question 1

Location/ background

Answer 1

• Positioned on the Mid Atlantic Ridge -> number of active volcanoes
• 14th April 2010 -> huge explosive eruption
• A volcano completely covered by an ice cap
• A stratovolcano 1651m high
• Erupted between March and May 2010
• Constructive plate margin separating North American and Eurasian Plate- ridge push occurs
• Located below a glacier

Question 2

Risk and vulnerability of the population

Answer 2

• Many volcanoes are covered by ice caps feeding glaciers, which means eruptions melt ice causing flooding and ash clouds.
• Positioned on the Mid Atlantic Ridge - number of active volcanoes
• Little risk as so few of them live in this part of Iceland -> threat comes from the ash cloud -> flights restricted, inability to travel

Question 3

Primary/ secondary hazards

Answer 3

• Flooding from melted ice caps
• Ash cloud

Question 4

Activity prior to the eruption

Answer 4

• Early 2010, seismic activity detected
• Minor eruptions followed and then volcano went quiet for short period

Question 5

Economic effects

Answer 5

• European countries forced to shut down air space
• Crops destroyed
• Infrastructure destroyed or badly damaged by floods
• Airlines estimated to be losing £130 million per day during 6 days flights were grounded
• Eurostar saw a dramatic increase in customers whilst flights were grounded

Question 6

Social effects

Answer 6

• Nearly 1000 people evacuated
• Services disrupted
• Homes damaged
• Roads washed away
• Tourists stranded

Question 7

Environmental effects

Answer 7

• Local water supplies contaminated with fluoride
• Prevented 1.3 million tonnes of Co2 into atmosphere
• Ash cloud blocked out the sun and led to total darkness for period of time.

Question 8

Political effects

Answer 8

• Kenya’s flower council says the country lost $1.3 million a day in lost shipments to Europe.
• Icelandic government launched a campaign to promote tourism.

Question 9

Management

Answer 9

Short term:
- Area around volcano was evacuated
- European Red Cross Societies: mobilises staff, volunteers and other resources
- provided food for farmers
- provided counselling

• European Union: developed an integrated structure for air traffic management -> 9 functional air space blocks will replace existing 27 areas
• ICD prepared contingency plans based on hazard assessment