A large majority of Iceland's volcanoes are ice-covered. Why is this such a big problem? A couple reasons, one, it is difficult to predict when the volcano will erupt. And two, when the sub-glacial volcano does erupt there is a higher likelihood that volcanic ash will be a damaging side-effect of the magma shooting through the thick layers of ice.
Europeans learned of these consequences first-hand when the travel industry came to a complete halt in 2010 as a result of the sub-glacial volcano, Eyjafjallajökull. The sub-glacial volcano caused a massive ash cloud to cover the European sky, preventing most of western Europe from flying on their scheduled flights. As a result, billions of dollars in flight cancelations had an adverse affect on the European economy. Thus, the European Union wants to try and prevent future damage to the economy by funding research to remedy the problem.
The power of mother nature This is an amazing shot from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption of 2010. Photo/Vilhelm
According to the European Union website, The EU has been funding research to provide more accurate and timely warnings. The approaches being pioneered by such projects aim is to give civil protection authorities, and economically important commercial groups such as airlines, more time to react effectively – helping to protect lives and reduce damage to Europe’s economy. Thus, the economical ramifications of Iceland's last eruption has prompted the EU to take action.
Ultimately the hope is to safely and accurately predict the volcanic activity of Iceland in order to prevent the nightmare of Eyjafjallajökull from happening again. So far during the ongoing eruption at Bárðarbunga volcano system, the Icelandic Met Office has done a great job predicting and informing the public about all the happenings at the powerful eruption. Although scientists will never be able to fully predict the activity of a volcano, warning systems and preventative measures can be taken to help reduce damage to the European economy.
A large majority of Iceland's volcanoes are ice-covered. Why is this such a big problem? A couple reasons, one, it is difficult to predict when the volcano will erupt. And two, when the sub-glacial volcano does erupt there is a higher likelihood that volcanic ash will be a damaging side-effect of the magma shooting through the thick layers of ice.
Europeans learned of these consequences first-hand when the travel industry came to a complete halt in 2010 as a result of the sub-glacial volcano, Eyjafjallajökull. The sub-glacial volcano caused a massive ash cloud to cover the European sky, preventing most of western Europe from flying on their scheduled flights. As a result, billions of dollars in flight cancelations had an adverse affect on the European economy. Thus, the European Union wants to try and prevent future damage to the economy by funding research to remedy the problem.
The power of mother nature This is an amazing shot from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption of 2010. Photo/Vilhelm
According to the European Union website, The EU has been funding research to provide more accurate and timely warnings. The approaches being pioneered by such projects aim is to give civil protection authorities, and economically important commercial groups such as airlines, more time to react effectively – helping to protect lives and reduce damage to Europe’s economy. Thus, the economical ramifications of Iceland's last eruption has prompted the EU to take action.
Ultimately the hope is to safely and accurately predict the volcanic activity of Iceland in order to prevent the nightmare of Eyjafjallajökull from happening again. So far during the ongoing eruption at Bárðarbunga volcano system, the Icelandic Met Office has done a great job predicting and informing the public about all the happenings at the powerful eruption. Although scientists will never be able to fully predict the activity of a volcano, warning systems and preventative measures can be taken to help reduce damage to the European economy.
