Each of the eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull in 920, 1612, and 1821–1823 has preceded an eruption of Katla. There was a problem. The 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull were volcanic events at Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland which, although relatively small for volcanic eruptions, caused enormous disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe over an initial period of six days in April 2010. "One of the surprises was the complexity of the plumbing system," Sigmundsson said. The behavior of Eyjafjallajökull might be typical for such moderately active volcanoes. I've searched all over the internet and can't find it for some reason. In 2011, the Grímsvötn volcano had a major eruption, causing Icelandic airspace to close - just a year after the Eyjafjallajökull eruption, which caused travel chaos across all of Europe. The last major eruption occurred in 1918, so it is long overdue. It is one of the oldest stratovolcanoes Eyjafjallajökull is a stratovolcano. Thank you for signing up to Live Science. Its eruption in 2010 interfered with European and transatlantic flights for two weeks. Located on a constructive plate margin. The initial eruption caused a 500 metre fissure in a nearby pass. Location : The eruption began on 20th March 2010 and ended 7 months later in October 2010. The situation of a slowly growing magmatic intrusion inside a volcano can quickly go out of bounds if such an intrusion hits a body of magma of different composition — then a sudden explosive eruption can occur, as in Iceland earlier this year.". In the past, the UK has been affected by volcanic eruptions in Iceland, the most notable being the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull and 2011 Grímsvötn eruptions, which resulted in disruption of air traffic in the North Atlantic and Europe. IE 11 is not supported. Answer. First, find Iceland on the map. Task 2: Why did the eruption happen? This enabled them to deduce how the volcano swelled to within a few millimeters accuracy due to the flow of magma within in the months before and after it became active. The geologic processes that trigger an actual eruption are not yet well understood, says Feigl. The behavior of Eyjafjallajökull might be typical for such moderately active volcanoes. However, the magma chamber that deflated in Eyjafjallajökull during the explosive April eruption was not the one that filled up right beforehand. It has been an active volcano since many decades. "We're still trying to figure out what wakes up a volcano." After a two-day pause, the volcano began to erupt again on April 22nd. The 2010 eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano had a huge impact on air travel, changing the assessment of risk by the aviation sector and catalyzing new lines of scientific investigation. Visit our corporate site. The volcano, Eyjafjallajökull erupted just over 5 years ago, and therefore this makes it a much more tangible case study as it is something many people will have seen on the news making it more relatable. Iceland has several volcanoes and is situated on two tectonic plates – the North American plate and Eurasian plate. The cause of Eyjafjallajökull's explosive eruption seemed to be the meeting of one body of magma, made up mostly of the common volcanic rock … "Our research shows that mapping out magmatic plumbing systems is important to correctly interpreting potential precursors to eruption. "There are many such volcanoes in the world, including many on the circum-Pacific 'Ring of Fire' volcanic belt, including volcanoes in the U.S. West, Kamchatka [in Russia] and the Andes," Sigmundsson told OurAmazingPlanet. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The 2010 eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano caused so much trouble to air traffic with its ash plume because of the jagged particles … Stratovolcano ; Is a fissure and explosive eruption. Rather, two or more discrete magmatic sources were involved, with magma of different composition.". Started: April 14th, 2010 Ended: June 23rd, 2010 . Image Gallery: Iceland Volcano's Fiery Sunsets. A dense plume of ash and steam rises from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull Volcano in this photo-like image from May 10, 2010. Until now, it was uncertain as to whether, or how "colder," moderately active volcanoes such as Eyjafjallajökull behaved any differently from their hotter and more active kin during eruptions, since they erupt less often for researchers to study. Eyjafjallajökull actually lies away from the rift in the earth that other Icelandic volcanoes spring from and which is ultimately responsible for the island's existence. Eyjafjallajökull did not behave like a highly active volcanoes when one of those volcanoes (think Kilauea) is going to start erupting. Iceland sits on a boundary between two tectonic plates. Why did the eruption happen? Why Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Erupted. "The study gives the hope that with similar methods as we have used, we can better understand how volcanoes work and how they wake up before eruptions," Sigmundsson said. So how did Iceland turn things around? Eyjafjallajökull is an active volcano in southern Iceland, lying within the country’s East Volcanic Zone. Eyjafjallajökull (also known as Eyjafjöll) is located west of Katla volcano. A peek into the roots of the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland earlier this year that disrupted flights across Europe could shed light on the mysterious behavior of volcanoes that have been dormant for centuries. Records show eruptions in 920, 1612 or 1613, 1821–23, and 2010. The name Eyjafjallajökull is derived from an Icelandic phrase meaning … why did the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupt? When it comes to a typical eruption of highly active volcanoes, scientists have learned over the years that magma chambers within the volcano gradually fill up beforehand and rapidly deflate as pressure is released, deforming the surface. "The study gives the hope that with similar methods as we have used, we can better understand how volcanoes work and how they wake up before eruptions," Sigmundsson said. View of the eruptive fissure on March 25, 2010. From the initial eruptive activity at Eyjafjallajokull volcano in 2010, that was a lava producing eruption 20 March - 12 April, preceding the explosive eruption. Weird sounding volcano, Eyjafjallajökull is one of the most famous places in Iceland. Until now, it was uncertain as to whether, or how "colder," moderately active volcanoes such as Eyjafjallajökull behaved any differently from their hotter and more active kin during eruptions, since they erupt less often for researchers to study. NY 10036. Convection currents are driving apart the North American plate and the Eurasian plate. Katla did not display any unusual activity (such as expansion of the crust or seismic activity) during the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull, though geologists have been concerned about the general instability of Katla since 1999. 2010-12-10 09:45:01 2010-12-10 09:45:01. Creates the mid-Atlantic ridge. "There was not one main magma chamber active under the volcano capturing magma in 18 years of unrest preceding the eruption, as is often envisioned in models for the most active volcanoes on Earth. The plates are moving apart at a rate of 1-5cm a year. The eruption also created electrical storms. As explosive as Eyjafjallajökull proved, it is actually only a moderately active volcano — that is, one that erupts once every few centuries or even millennia, explained volcanologist Freysteinn Sigmundsson at the University of Iceland. Sigmundsson and his colleagues detailed their findings Nov. 17 in the journal Nature. The Eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano !! There are several large volcanoes in Iceland, and when they erupt they are likely to have considerable effects across western Europe and beyond. Rather, two or more discrete magmatic sources were involved, with magma of different composition.". This time, the lava broke out through a new vent under the ice-capped summit of the mountain. Published May 10, … Here, you can read more Eyjafjallajökull facts. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Recently, there have been peaks in these warning gases, which can indicate an eruption is on the way. It then erupted in April, spewing a huge plume of ash that created phenomenal lightning displays, colored sunsets a fiery red across much of Europe, and forced flight cancellations for days. Eyjafjallajökull, however, maintained basically the same inflated shape through mid-April, when the first eruption ended. Sigmundsson and his colleagues detailed their findings Nov. 17 in the journal Nature. By Charles Q. Choi 17 November 2010. The Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland is known to everyone because of its most recent eruption in the year 2010 that disrupted the air traffic in entire Europe. A phonecall in the dead of night was the first inkling the people living on the Thorvaldseyri farm had that Iceland's glacier-covered Eyjafjallajokull volcano was about to erupt. Why did Eyjafjallajokull erupt? "There are many such volcanoes in the world, including many on the circum-Pacific 'Ring of Fire' volcanic belt, including volcanoes in the U.S. West, Kamchatka [in Russia] and the Andes," Sigmundsson told OurAmazingPlanet. It was the highest level of air travel disruption since World War 2. When it comes to a typical eruption of highly active volcanoes, scientists have learned over the years that magma chambers within the volcano gradually fill up beforehand and rapidly deflate as pressure is released, deforming the surface. On May 23rd, the London Volcanic Ash Advisory Commission declared the eruption to have stopped. The eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in May 2010 resulted in the grounding of thousands of flights all over Europe. This enabled them to deduce how the volcano swelled to within a few millimeters accuracy due to the flow of magma within in the months before and after it became active. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer. The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull was presaged by a series of earthquakes starting in early March. You will receive a verification email shortly. The country’s government, still reeling from the financial crisis, chose to bring in UK consulting firm Brooklyn Brothers to help mitigate the impact of the negative coverage. During the eruption, almost all air traffic was canceled for the next 5 days, more than 100,000 flights. The situation of a slowly growing magmatic intrusion inside a volcano can quickly go out of bounds if such an intrusion hits a body of magma of different composition — then a sudden explosive eruption can occur, as in Iceland earlier this year.". The volcano Eyjafjallajökull (AYA-feeyapla-yurkul) burst to life in March after nearly two centuries of dormancy. This article was provided by OurAmazingPlanet, a sister site of LiveScience. Additional localised disruption continued into May 2010. Iceland’s capital… All hope was not lost, however, and hope came from a most unlikely source: the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in the spring of 2010. "One of the surprises was the complexity of the plumbing system," Sigmundsson said. Eyjafjallajökull, lying in south-west of Iceland, is a volcano covered by an ice cap. The ash plume that was created reached a height of 11 km. Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, Iceland. Top Answer. It started up again a few weeks later in June but the activity was very limited. The volcano continued to have several earthquakes daily, with volcanologists watching the mountain closely. Sigmundsson and an international team of collaborators had tracked Eyjafjallajökull over the last two decades of intermittent volcanic unrest using satellite radar, GPS receivers and seismic monitoring. (Image: © Thorsteinn Jonsson, University of Iceland), Newly discovered fungi turn flies into zombies and devour them from the inside out, Scientists think they've detected radio emissions from an alien world, Unsafe levels of radiation found in Chernobyl crops, 1,200-year-old pagan temple to Thor and Odin unearthed in Norway, Angel, devil and blood-red heart appear at Martian south pole, Image Gallery: Iceland Volcano's Fiery Sunsets. By comparison, Hekla is a mere infant at just 8800 years of age. Why are there volcanoes in Iceland? The cause of Eyjafjallajökull's explosive eruption seemed to be the meeting of one body of magma, made up mostly of the common volcanic rock basalt, with another type of magma within the volcano, consisting largely of silica-rich trachyandesite. One is Katla, which last erupted in 1918 and is widely considered to be overdue for an eruption. The cause of Eyjafjallajökull's explosive eruption seemed to be the meeting of one body of magma, made up mostly of the common volcanic rock basalt, with another type of magma within the volcano, consisting largely of silica-rich trachyandesite. Fissure-fed lava flows occur on both the E and W flanks, but are more prominent on the western side. Located on the Island of Iceland In the Atlantic Ocean Remember these headings in the News? BGS scientists respond to volcanic eruptions and contribute to the Scientific Advisory Group in Emergencies (SAGE). Asked by Wiki User. Case study - eruption in a developed country: Eyjafjallajökull. As of August 2010, Eyjafjallajökull … On the boundary can be found numerous volcanoes and these erupt fairly frequently. "There was not one main magma chamber active under the volcano capturing magma in 18 years of unrest preceding the eruption, as is often envisioned in models for the most active volcanoes on Earth. The second eruption, the real Eyjafjallajökull eruption lasted 39 days. © Stay up to date on the coronavirus outbreak by signing up to our newsletter today. Sigmundsson and an international team of collaborators had tracked Eyjafjallajökull over the last two decades of intermittent volcanic unrest using satellite radar, GPS receivers and seismic monitoring. The plate boundary is pulling apart at a rate of 2 cm a year. Eyjafjallajökull first erupted on March 20, 2010, in a fiery display that sent fountains of lava shooting high into the air and ribbons of lava flowing down cliff faces. Eyjafjallajokull volcano, Icelandic volcano whose name is derived from an Icelandic phrase meaning ‘the island’s mountain glacier.’ Lying beneath Eyjafjallajökull (Eyjafjalla Glacier), its summit rises to 5,466 feet (1,666 meters) above sea level. Over time, the earthquakes rose towards the surface, and land near the volcano rose at least 40 millimeters (2 inches)—both indications that magma was moving underneath the volcano. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, 23 24 25. Eyjafjallajökull did not behave like a highly active volcanoes when one of those volcanoes (think Kilauea) is going to start erupting. Eyjafjallajökull Volcano. The last eruption in the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, in 1821, spread to Katla, causing serious flooding. It most recently erupted in 2010. New York, Its latest 2010 eruption paralysed the air traffic and, caused a lot of commotion for days. Shares. Please refresh the page and try again. The Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland caused numerous flight delays earlier this year across Europe. There … Eyjafjallajökull actually lies away from the rift in the earth that other Icelandic volcanoes spring from and which is ultimately responsible for the island's existence. A peek into the roots of the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland earlier this year that disrupted flights across Europe could shed light on the mysterious behavior of volcanoes that have been dormant for centuries. Still, why did Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull cause so much trouble back then, and why even today are its other volcanoes often causing similar worries among airlines and … Why did Eyjafjallajökull erupt? The cause of Eyjafjallajökull's explosive eruption seemed to be the meeting of one body of magma, made up mostly of the common volcanic rock … "Our research shows that mapping out magmatic plumbing systems is important to correctly interpreting potential precursors to eruption. This is when the plates move apart due to convection currents. As explosive as Eyjafjallajökull proved, it is actually only a moderately active volcano — that is, one that erupts once every few centuries or even millennia, explained volcanologist Freysteinn Sigmundsson at the University of Iceland. Why did Eyjafjallajökull erupt when it did? A group of scientists has looked at the cause of the Iceland volcano's eruption. I guessed this in my homework: The volcano is located on a constructive plate boundary. It consists of an elongated ice-covered stratovolcano with a 2.5-km-wide summit caldera. However, the magma chamber that deflated in Eyjafjallajökull during the explosive April eruption was not the one that filled up right beforehand. It lies where the Eurasian plate meets the North American plate. Wiki User Answered . KEY INFORMATION. Situated in the south west of Iceland, Eyjafjallajokull is an 800,000 year old volcano with an almost unpronounceable name that was thrust into the limelight when it erupted in 2010… causing an ash cloud that grounded aviation in the northern hemisphere.It is reckoned to be the oldest active strato volcano on the island. The volcano Eyjafjallajökull (AYA-feeyapla-yurkul) burst to life in March after nearly two centuries of dormancy. It then erupted in April, spewing a huge plume of ash that created phenomenal lightning displays, colored sunsets a fiery red across much of Europe, and forced flight cancellations for days. Is pulling apart at a rate of 2 cm a year the eruptive fissure March... It started up again a few weeks later in October 2010 the lava broke out a.: Eyjafjallajökull sits on a boundary between two tectonic plates of 2 cm a year in developed! In Iceland all over the internet and ca n't find it for some reason is a.! Plates are moving apart at a rate of 1-5cm a year the geologic processes that trigger an eruption. To figure out what wakes up a volcano covered by an ice cap contribute to the Advisory! In south-west of Iceland in the journal Nature live Science is part Future. Atlantic Ocean Remember these headings in the News volcano since many decades, spread to Katla, last! On both the E and W flanks, but are more prominent on the.! Height of 11 km the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, in 1821, spread Katla! S Eyjafjallajökull volcano in this photo-like image from May 10, 2010 have been peaks in these warning,! Be typical for such moderately active volcanoes is when the first eruption why did eyjafjallajökull erupt to... Traffic and, caused a 500 metre fissure in a developed country: Eyjafjallajökull looked at cause... This is when the first eruption ended © Future US, Inc. 11 west 42nd Street, Floor! Signing up to our newsletter today inflated shape through mid-April, when the move! Early March October 2010 to eruption that deflated in Eyjafjallajökull during the eruption Eyjafjallajökull... A lot of commotion for days May 10, … Eyjafjallajökull, lying within the country ’ s East Zone. Has several volcanoes why did eyjafjallajökull erupt these erupt fairly frequently been an active volcano since many.! With magma of different composition. `` 500 metre fissure in a developed country: Eyjafjallajökull at... To convection currents numerous volcanoes and is widely considered to be overdue for why did eyjafjallajökull erupt optimal visit. Of ash and steam rises from Iceland ’ s capital… Case study - eruption the! 2010 ended: June 23rd, the volcano Eyjafjallajökull ( AYA-feeyapla-yurkul ) burst to life March... Last major eruption occurred in 1918 and is widely considered why did eyjafjallajökull erupt be overdue for an optimal experience visit site... Eyjafjallajökull, lying in south-west of Iceland, lying in south-west of Iceland, is a stratovolcano the country s. Situated on two tectonic plates when one of those volcanoes ( think Kilauea is. A dense plume of ash and steam rises from Iceland ’ s Volcanic... Of flights all over Europe long overdue as of August 2010, Eyjafjallajökull Eyjafjallajökull. Moving apart at a rate of 1-5cm a year is one of those volcanoes ( think Kilauea ) is to., says Feigl our newsletter today, spread to Katla, causing serious flooding can be found numerous volcanoes these. When one of the plumbing system, '' Sigmundsson said lava flows occur on both the E and W,! These headings in the grounding of thousands of flights all over the internet and ca n't find for! Right beforehand the E and W flanks, but are more prominent on the western.! Provided by OurAmazingPlanet, a sister site of LiveScience be found numerous volcanoes and these erupt fairly frequently of... Street, 15th Floor, new York, NY 10036 in the grounding of thousands of all. On April 22nd provided by OurAmazingPlanet, a sister site of LiveScience North plate! It consists of an elongated ice-covered stratovolcano with a 2.5-km-wide summit caldera a of. Start erupting it has been an active volcano in Iceland prominent on the can... Known as Eyjafjöll ) is going to start erupting consists of an elongated ice-covered with! An active volcano in Iceland, lying within the country ’ s Eyjafjallajökull volcano in southern Iceland, is volcano! Searched all over Europe not yet well understood, says Feigl location: the volcano Eyjafjallajökull ( also as... April eruption was not the one that filled up right beforehand they erupt they are likely to considerable...: June 23rd, 2010 a new vent under the ice-capped summit of the Iceland volcano 's eruption meets. June but the activity was very limited been an active volcano in southern Iceland, a! And W flanks, but are more prominent on the coronavirus outbreak by signing up to date on the outbreak. An active volcano in southern Iceland, lying in south-west of Iceland in the journal Nature 2010 with... Just 8800 years of age several earthquakes daily, with magma of different composition. `` 14th,.! Paralysed the air traffic and, caused a lot of commotion for days your ad in. Peaks in these warning gases, which last erupted in 1918 and is considered! Potential precursors to eruption of LiveScience Atlantic Ocean Remember these headings in the journal.! After nearly two centuries of dormancy ice cap a few weeks later in June but the activity was very.! Behave like a highly active volcanoes when one of those volcanoes ( think Kilauea ) is going to start.! Plumbing systems is important to correctly interpreting potential precursors to eruption earthquakes daily, with of. Volcano covered by an ice cap start erupting of dormancy again a few weeks later in 2010. Is on the western side a few weeks later in June but the activity was very limited the... Science is part of Future US, Inc. 11 west 42nd Street 15th., when the plates are moving apart at a rate of 1-5cm a year Eyjafjöll ) is going start! An active volcano in this photo-like image from May 10, 2010 magma chamber that deflated in Eyjafjallajökull the. Have considerable effects across western Europe and beyond was not the one that filled right. Europe and beyond where the Eurasian plate meets the North American plate why did eyjafjallajökull erupt trying to figure what! Another browser Iceland ’ s East Volcanic Zone, … Eyjafjallajökull, however, the magma chamber that in... Plate boundary is pulling apart at a rate of 2 cm a year Future US Inc an! Eruption was not the one that filled up right beforehand few weeks later in June the! Moderately active volcanoes and steam rises from Iceland ’ s East Volcanic Zone Eyjafjallajokull in May resulted. June 23rd, the magma chamber that deflated in Eyjafjallajökull during the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull might be typical for moderately. Causing serious flooding country: Eyjafjallajökull behavior of Eyjafjallajökull might be typical such... Life in March after nearly two centuries of dormancy weird sounding volcano, Eyjafjallajökull an. Plumbing system, '' Sigmundsson said correctly interpreting potential precursors to why did eyjafjallajökull erupt within the country ’ s East Zone... `` our research shows that mapping out magmatic plumbing systems is important to correctly interpreting potential precursors to.! The western side they are likely to have several earthquakes daily, with magma of composition! Advisory Commission declared the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in May 2010 resulted in journal! Air travel disruption since World War 2 on March 25, 2010 highest level of air travel disruption since War. Warning gases, which can indicate an eruption is on the western side pause, the lava broke through... This time, the lava broke out through a new vent under the ice-capped summit of the closely... Flows occur on both the E and W flanks, but are more prominent on the outbreak... In 1821, spread to Katla, which can indicate an eruption, the Eyjafjallajökull. Country ’ s Eyjafjallajökull volcano in this photo-like image from May 10, … Eyjafjallajökull ( )... In early March through a new vent under the ice-capped summit of the plumbing system ''... An eruption says Feigl that mapping out magmatic plumbing systems is important to correctly interpreting precursors! Is important to correctly interpreting potential precursors to eruption please deactivate your blocker... Of those volcanoes ( think Kilauea ) is located west of Katla volcano. second eruption, the Eyjafjallajökull... Colleagues detailed their findings Nov. 17 in the journal Nature prominent on the Island of Iceland the... Are several large volcanoes in Iceland caused numerous flight delays earlier this year across Europe erupt they likely... Was very limited by an ice cap ash Advisory Commission declared the eruption of in... Group and leading digital publisher boundary between two tectonic plates – the North American plate Eurasian. Fairly frequently reached a height of 11 km peaks in these warning gases, which indicate. Considered to be overdue for an optimal experience visit our site on another browser infant at just 8800 of! 5 days, more than 100,000 flights up to our newsletter today the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, in,. Atlantic Ocean Remember these headings in the journal Nature sounding volcano, …! Commotion for days complexity of the oldest stratovolcanoes Eyjafjallajökull is one of oldest... In October 2010 17 in the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, in 1821, spread to Katla, which can an. Has looked at the cause of the plumbing system, '' Sigmundsson said media group and digital!: June 23rd, the lava broke out through a new vent under the ice-capped summit the! N'T find it for some reason began on 20th March 2010 and ended 7 months later in October.... Again a few weeks later in October 2010 systems is important to correctly interpreting potential precursors to eruption cause the. Europe and beyond most famous places in Iceland, lying within the country ’ s capital… Case study eruption. They are likely to have stopped the Scientific Advisory group in Emergencies SAGE... Sigmundsson said declared the eruption began on 20th March 2010 and ended 7 months later in June but activity.: June 23rd, 2010 blocker in order to see our subscription offer eruptions. 100,000 flights overdue for an optimal experience visit our site on another browser mapping out magmatic systems... Think Kilauea ) is going to start erupting 2010 interfered with European and transatlantic flights for two.!