iceland volcano 2010 case study a level

Eyjafjallajokull 2010 volcanic eruption case study

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This award-winning geography case study video resource reflects on the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in 2010 and looks ahead to potential volcanic eruptions in Iceland.

In this video, we cover:

- The causes and impacts of the eruption, with visits to some of the localities directly affected - Volcano monitoring and preparedness - The impacts associated with the future eruption of Katla - Positive impacts of the volcanic eruption on tourism in Iceland

This teaching resource uses narrative, incisive interviews of local people, stunning archive footage of the eruption itself and supportive maps and diagrams to show that, through detailed scientific knowledge and monitoring, the people in Iceland not only understand the threats posed by volcanic eruptions but also see the rich benefits of living in the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’.

Visit Discover the World Education to download the free teaching resources, which accompany this video: http://bit.ly/2xzJ8r5

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The 2010 eyjafjallajökull eruption: a geography case study.

Friday, 23rd August 2024

11 years ago, a small, unheard of, unpronounceable volcano erupted in the south of Iceland.

Eyjafjallajökull, (ayuh-fyat-luh-yue-koutl) captured the interest of the world.

Iceland, being on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and on a magma hot spot, had experienced many eruptions before.

It sparked a butterfly effect that had impacts across the globe, and therefore lends itself to being a unique and fascinating case study that encourages “geographical thinking” from many different perspectives.

How to use the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption as a geography case study

Eyjafjallajökull is one of the smaller ice caps in Iceland covering the caldera of an active volcano erupting frequently since the last glacial period and most recently in 2010.

Eyjafjallajökull is a strato-conical volcano, built of many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice and volcanic ash.

Due to the glacier covering the caldera, Eyjafjallajökull’s eruptions are explosive and generally contain much ash, with the added risks associated with Jökulhlaups.

What have we learnt from this eruption?

During the 5 days following the eruption, European aviation authorities completely stopped flights due to the ash plume that dissipated over European airspace making flying impossible. It’s estimated that the aviation industry lost between $200-400 million per day!

Ten million passengers were affected and more than 100,000 flights were cancelled. The cost to the industry was estimated to be over £1.2 billion.

The closure of European airspace also had far reaching impacts on international trade. This was perhaps best illustrated by the impact felt by Kenyan farmers. It was estimated that the Kenyan horticulture industry lost an average $3 million per day, with some 3000 tonnes of fresh flowers destined primarily for the UK market left to rot.

These highlight the butterfly effects of a hazard in a small, sparsely populated country and how that can have such an impact on far-away places, who are adversely affected in our ever globalised, interconnected world.

The aviation community’s zero tolerance policy for flying through volcanic ash came under intense scrutiny, and subsequently engineers, volcanologists and modellers have pulled together to learn more about what constitutes hazardous air space in relation to volcanic ash.

Their research focussed on:

• Engine design
• Quantifying levels of ash concentrations in the atmosphere and
• Developing more meteorological forecasting of ash dispersal

Moderation of the zero-tolerance ash policy that stood in 2010 has changed.

Today, the civil aviation community has more flexibility and knowledge; vital monitoring and information provided by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) on ash concentrations and on the routing of flight paths around areas of contamination helps the Civil Aviation Organisation to keep our air traffic superhighways operational.

However, the Eyjafjallajökull eruption is a rare example of how a natural hazard can have longer term beneficial effects for a country’s economy.

This explosion put Iceland firmly on the map as foreign news media descended on the island capturing its spectacular landscapes for all the world to see.

Using the eruptions as a springboard, the Icelandic Government and tourist industry invested 700 million ISK. (4.3 million Euros) to finance a special marketing campaign entitled “Inspired by Iceland”. Their tag line was “ Iceland has never been more awake and there has never been a more exciting time to visit the country. ”

Its main focus was to allow individuals to share stories and memories of Iceland using the various social media platforms, turning a negative event into a positive and changing the focus of international attention on Iceland into a chance to showcase the island’s many unique and appealing attributes.

Tourist numbers increased by 16% in 2011, and ongoing global marketing has resulted in an ever-increasing trajectory in tourist numbers. In 2018, visitor numbers reached over 2.2 million, a 340% increase since 2010.

Tourism has grown to become the nation’s most important industry, generating more foreign revenue than fisheries and aluminium smelting.

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We recently covered this topic in our webinar serie s.

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Case Study – The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjnallajokull

Cambridge iGCSE Geography > The Natural Environment > Earthquakes and Volcanoes > Case Study – The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjnallajokull

Case Study – The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull

Background information.

Location: Eyjafjallajökull is located in southern Iceland.

Level of Development in Iceland: Iceland is a developed country with a strong economy. It has advanced infrastructure, healthcare, education, and a high standard of living.

Volcano Details: Eyjafjallajökull is a composite (stratovolcano) covered by an ice cap.  The name describes the volcano, with Eyja meaning island, fjalla meaning mountain, and jokull meaning glacier. You can find out how to pronounce Eyjafjallajokull on the BBC website .

Its eruption can cause significant ash plumes and glacial meltwater floods known as “jökulhlaups.”

What caused the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

Iceland is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a constructive plate boundary that divides the North American Plate from the Eurasian Plate. These two tectonic plates gradually drift apart because of the ridge push exerted along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. As they move away from each other, magma from beneath the Earth’s crust fills the magma chambers located below Eyjafjallajökull. The interconnection of several of these chambers has created a substantial reservoir of magma beneath the volcano. Eyjafjallajökull is positioned underneath a glacier, adding to its complex structure.

What were the primary effects of the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

• Ash Cloud: The eruption created a massive ash cloud that turned day to night. The ash drifted over Europe.
• Air Travel Disruption: Over 100,000 flights were cancelled, affecting around 10 million travellers.
• Local Flooding: Melting glaciers caused flooding in the nearby areas.
• Damage to Agriculture : Ash fall led to the loss of grazing areas and contaminated water supplies.
• Property and roads: Homes and roads were damaged.

What were the secondary effects of the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

• Economic Impact : The airline industry alone lost £130 million a day due to airspace closure, totalling an estimated $1.7 billion. The price of shares in major airlines dropped between 2.5-3.3% during the eruption. Other sectors, such as tourism and farming, were also significantly affected.
• Environmental Impact : Long-term effects on soil and water quality were observed. Local water supplies were contaminated with fluoride.
• Health Concerns: Respiratory issues were reported due to fine ash particles in the air.
• Impacts on Kenya: The impact was felt as far afield as Kenya, where farmers laid off 5000 workers after flowers and vegetables rotted at airports. Kenya’s flower council says the country lost $1.3m daily in lost shipments to Europe.

What were the immediate responses to the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

• Evacuation : Around 800 people were evacuated from the immediate vicinity.
• Airspace Closure: European airspace was closed for several days.
• Emergency Services: Immediate response from local authorities, firefighters, and rescue teams.

What were the long-term responses to the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull?

• Monitoring and Research: Improved monitoring systems and research into ash cloud movement.
• Economic Support: Financial assistance for affected farmers and businesses.
• Regulations: Improved regulations for air travel during volcanic ash events.
• Airspace: The European Union developed an integrated structure for air traffic management. As a result, nine Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) will replace the existing 27 areas. This means following a volcanic eruption in the future, areas of air space may be closed, reducing the risk of closing all European air space.

What opportunities did the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull bring?

Despite the challenges brought about by the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, several benefits emerged from the event. One of the positive impacts was the environmental saving; the grounding of European flights during the eruption prevented the release of approximately 2.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, as the Environmental Transport Association noted.

Additionally, the disruption in air travel led to a boon for other modes of transportation. Eurostar, for instance, experienced a significant increase in passenger numbers. The company recorded nearly a third rise in travel, accommodating 50,000 extra passengers on trains during this period.

Furthermore, the volcanic ash from Eyjafjallajökull deposited dissolved iron into the North Atlantic Ocean. This led to a plankton bloom, enhancing biological productivity in the region.

In response to the eruption’s negative publicity, the Icelandic government initiated a campaign to bolster tourism. The “Inspired by Iceland” initiative was launched with the specific goal of showcasing the nation’s scenic beauty, the warmth of its people, and the reassurance that Iceland was ready to welcome visitors. Consequently, the campaign had a positive effect, as evidenced by a substantial increase in tourist numbers, as depicted in the graph below.

Foreign visitor arrivals to Iceland

How does Iceland prepare for volcanic eruptions, and what was its impact?

Iceland has an effective monitoring system for its active volcanoes, with seismic stations and other instruments. There is close cooperation between meteorological, geological, and civil protection authorities. Public education and emergency planning are also vital to Iceland’s preparation strategy.

Iceland’s preparedness and rapid response, such as evacuating the area close to the volcano, mitigated the local impact of the eruption. However, the unprecedented disruption to air travel highlighted the need for better international coordination and understanding of volcanic ash’s effects on aviation.

The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 is a crucial example of how a volcanic event can have local and global impacts. The incident underscored the importance of preparedness, monitoring, and international cooperation in minimizing the effects of such natural disasters. It also highlighted the interconnectedness of our modern world and how a geological event in one country can have far-reaching consequences.

Location and Eruption Details

Eyjafjallajökull erupted in 2010 in southern Iceland; it’s a stratovolcano covered by an ice cap. The eruption was caused by the North American Plate drifting from the Eurasian Plate along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, creating a magma reservoir beneath the volcano.

Primary Effects

The eruption led to a massive ash cloud, air travel disruption with over 100,000 flights cancelled, local flooding from melting glaciers, and damage to agriculture, homes, and roads.

Secondary Effects

Economic loss reached an estimated $1.7 billion in the airline industry, long-term environmental impacts, health concerns from ash particles, and far-reaching effects on other countries like Kenya.

Immediate Responses

Approximately 800 people were evacuated; European airspace was closed for several days; emergency services responded quickly.

Long-Term Responses and Opportunities

Improved monitoring, regulations, and economic support were implemented; benefits included reduced CO2 emissions, increased passenger numbers in trains like Eurostar, enhanced biological productivity in the North Atlantic, and a successful Icelandic tourism campaign.

Preparedness and Impact

Iceland’s effective monitoring, public education, and emergency planning mitigated the local impact but emphasized the need for international coordination and understanding of volcanic ash’s effects on aviation. The eruption illustrated the interconnectedness of modern society and the far-reaching consequences of geological events.

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Eyjafjallajökull 2010 eruption case study

Subject: Geography

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

4 December 2018

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Lesson focusing on the events of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland. Suitable for A Level Geographers of all new (2016) specifications and could easily be adapted for GCSE Geographers. The powerpoint features;

• Background on Iceland
• Reasons why people live in this tectonically active area
• Detail on the plate boundary and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano
• An outline of the events of the 2010 eruption
• A task for pupils to research and categorise the impacts of the eruption (access to the internet/ relevant textbooks/factsheets) will be needed for this. detail on the political impacts has been included as a guide.
• Detail on the management of the eruption
• Information about how the eruptions have helped boost Iceland’s economy long term

A worksheet is included on which pupils can make notes as the material is covered.

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Case Study: Iceland volcano

• Created by: Rosie Darby
• Created on: 05-04-13 14:34
• Case studies

Report Mon 8th May, 2017 @ 10:14

Yo guy I'm a super jelly over those case study notes brah

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