Causes of Volcanoes
Volcanoes are formed when:
Two plates diverge (move away from each other) forming small volcanoes.
The two plates move away from each other leaving a gap in the crust. This gap is filled up by the magma which rises and cools creating more crust.
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Converge with subduction (move together with one plate sinking) forming large violent volcanoes.
Two plates come together, one oceanic crust which is denser, and one continental which is lighter. The oceanic sinks under the continental crust as it is denser. As the oceanic crust is pushed down, it gets melted creating magma which builds up pressure in magma chambers. At some point the pressure is enough to force its way to the surface and start and eruption.
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Sometimes the volcano is caused by the magma rising and coming through a weak part in the crust.
Eyjafjallajökull Eruption
The eruption at Eyjafjallajökull was caused by the diverence of the Atlantic plate and the North American plate.
These were a series of eruptions from 20 March 2010 to 23 June 2010.
These were a series of eruptions from 20 March 2010 to 23 June 2010.
Economic Impacts
Some farms around the volcanic area in Eyjafjallajökull were destroyed.
The eruption created a large ash cloud which spread throughout Europe. The airline industry was most affected. Over 95,000 flights were cancelled over the six day air travel ban. An estimated 1.7 billion US dollars were lost due to the restrictions on air travel.
This had many knock on effects. European industries that relied on air travel lost a lot of money. Pharmaceutical companies lost a large amount of their stock, as some of their goods expired before it could be flown to other countries. Fresh food and essential goods supplies were also affected during the travel ban. BMW had to stop production of cars and parts as they could not be transported. Thirteen travel firms collapsed because of the travel ban. Nissan
Kenya was unable to send over their flowers and as a result had to destroy 3000 tonnes. Some workers had to be temporally laid off. Food exports were also disrupted. in Total, Kenya lost 3.8 million dollars a day. Zambia for the same reasons lost 150,00 dollars a day.
New Zealand however saw some benefits. The ash cloud made it difficult for north European fish suppliers to transport their salmon, so this increased the number of orders for New Zealand salmon. Holland was unable to supply orchids, so New Zealand filled the gap.
Some farms around the volcanic area in Eyjafjallajökull were destroyed.
The eruption created a large ash cloud which spread throughout Europe. The airline industry was most affected. Over 95,000 flights were cancelled over the six day air travel ban. An estimated 1.7 billion US dollars were lost due to the restrictions on air travel.
This had many knock on effects. European industries that relied on air travel lost a lot of money. Pharmaceutical companies lost a large amount of their stock, as some of their goods expired before it could be flown to other countries. Fresh food and essential goods supplies were also affected during the travel ban. BMW had to stop production of cars and parts as they could not be transported. Thirteen travel firms collapsed because of the travel ban. Nissan
Kenya was unable to send over their flowers and as a result had to destroy 3000 tonnes. Some workers had to be temporally laid off. Food exports were also disrupted. in Total, Kenya lost 3.8 million dollars a day. Zambia for the same reasons lost 150,00 dollars a day.
New Zealand however saw some benefits. The ash cloud made it difficult for north European fish suppliers to transport their salmon, so this increased the number of orders for New Zealand salmon. Holland was unable to supply orchids, so New Zealand filled the gap.
Social Impacts
Because of the huge loss of money, many workers were laid off, some temporarily. Some more minor impacts, include not being able to travel by air or delays in post and couriers. Some music performances such as those in the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival were delayed or canceled, as the performers could not turn up. Many art exhibitions and events were affected.
Because of the huge loss of money, many workers were laid off, some temporarily. Some more minor impacts, include not being able to travel by air or delays in post and couriers. Some music performances such as those in the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival were delayed or canceled, as the performers could not turn up. Many art exhibitions and events were affected.
Environmental Impacts
The eruption of the volcano released around 150,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every day. However, the ban in air travel during that time stopped 1.3 million to 2.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the air.
The gases and ash released by the volcano has caused some changes in the weather. The ash generated created volcanic lightning, where the ash in the atmosphere generate static electricity and create lightning.
The gases emitted from the eruption caused a temporary global cooling. These gases help generate more cirrus clouds and make the earth more reflective, reducing the temperature of the earth.
The eruption of the volcano released around 150,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every day. However, the ban in air travel during that time stopped 1.3 million to 2.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the air.
The gases and ash released by the volcano has caused some changes in the weather. The ash generated created volcanic lightning, where the ash in the atmosphere generate static electricity and create lightning.
The gases emitted from the eruption caused a temporary global cooling. These gases help generate more cirrus clouds and make the earth more reflective, reducing the temperature of the earth.