2. A Volcano: Eidfell, Iceland

Causes:

  • Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

  • The North American and Eurasian plates move apart- called divergent plates.

  • The disruption caused by Eidfell resulted from a series of small volcanic eruptions, starting on the 20th of March and ending in October 2010.

Impacts:

I. Short-term effects:

  • The 150m thick ice cap melted, which caused major flooding to much of Iceland’s infrastructure.

  • 0 reported deaths.

  • Airspace closed across Europe; with at least 17,000 flights a day being cancelled.

II. Long-term effects:

  • The eruption cost insurers ÂŁ65million to customers with cancelled flights.

Response:

1. Short-term management:

  • The emergency services were prepared with advanced equipment.

  • Iceland had a good warning system, with texts sent to residents with a 30-minute warning.

  • Large sections of European airspace were closed down due to ash spreading over the continent.

2. Long-term management:

  • Eidfell has often triggered her larger sister volcano, Katla, to erupt after. As a result, scientists are monitoring her closely.

  • Insurance companies and airlines have reviewed their customers' policies.

  • Some airlines have built ash monitoring equipment onto their aircraft for safety.

Location:

  • Iceland, North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (constructive plate margin)

  • Focus: Eldfell eruption on Heimaey, largest of the Vestmannaeyjar islands, 1973

Background:

  • Iceland has many eruptions (e.g., Eyjafjallajokull, 2010, disrupted European air travel)

  • Eldfell eruption is the main focus

The 1973 Eruption:

  • 22 Jan: Fishing boats stayed in harbour due to storm; weak earthquakes started at 10pm

  • 23 Jan, 2am: Volcanic eruption reported near Kirkjubær

    • Fissure 1600 m long

    • Lava fountains formed a new volcano: Eldfell

Responses:

  • Fire alarms and police sirens evacuated residents

  • Population evacuation: ~5,000 people, mostly via boats; 300 evacuated by air

  • Seawater pumped on lava to protect harbour; bulldozers built dams (lava overran dam)

  • Lava flow halted on 26 March; eruption ended 3 July (5 months, 10 days)

Effects:

  • Material: 10% ash/pumice, 90% lava

  • Volcano height: 225 m

  • Island area increased: 12 km² → 14.5 km², providing better harbour shelter

  • Houses: 1/3 destroyed, 1/3 damaged

  • Recovery: By 1975, ash cleared, used for roads, airstrip, foundations

  • 3,500 of 5,300 residents returned; current population ~5,000