March 2010 magma broke through crust beneath the glacier
mostly lava eruptions (little threat to locals)
14 April (more explosive phase) ash emitted
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Primary Impacts
Local
Heavy particles of ash (black gritty sand) fell to close ground
This coated agricultural land with thick layer of ash
Global
Cloud of fine ash spread south eastwards towards rest of Europe
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Secondary Impacts
Local
Crops (particularly grass used for hay) were damaged by ash falls
Homes, roads were damaged and services disrupted (elctricity/water)
Local water supllies contaminated with fluoride
Meltwater from glacier resulted in flooding
Global
Due to closure of airports passenger and freight traffic ground to a halt
Ten million affected, Airport Operators Assosiation estimated 80 million in losses
Business people/ tourists stranded
Industrial production could not function as import/export of raw materials/products cancelled eg/ Honda announced partial halt to production
in Kenya farmers lost their jobs/ suffered pay cuts as crops (beans/flowers) perished unable to be exported
Supermarkets/ producers could not recieve goods
International sporting events eg/ Boston Marathon were affected by flight ban.
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Immediate Response
Local
Hundreds evacuated from their farms and villages
Rescuers were forced to wear face masks to prevent choking due to the ash clouds
Sections of embankment supporting main highway breached by authorities to allow floodwater to pass through to sea (prevent damage to expensive bridges
Global
Large sections of European airspace closed down (100,000 flights cancelled in 8 days- 48% of total air traffic, 10 million passengers affected)
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Long term Response
Local
Reconstruction of roads and services was expensive
Local flood defences had to be reconstructed (Enbankments rebuilt and highway reconstructed in weeks)
Global
Further research to improve monitoring ash concentrations and forecast models
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Positives?
National
Eyafjallajokul considered an Icelandic tourist destination 'the land of ice and fire' this creates jobs and improves local industries eg/ gift shops
Lava and ash rich in minerals making volcanic soil very fertile
Rocks can be used for building
Geothermal energy beneath the surface is accessable (electricity/provide hot water for industrial proccesses, heating pools, melting snow on pavements)
Valuable minerals such as copper, gold, silver, lead and zinc
Sulphur can be mined from craters to bleach sugar, make matches and fertiliser
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