It is very misleading and wrong description that the impacts were confined to Eyjafjöll…We still live with ash storm when the wind is blowing. The main role of IES is research in earth sciences, including a strong emphasis on volcanology. Fissure-fed lava flows occur on both the E and W flanks, but are more prominent on the western side. The DCPEM’s role included providing information to the government and its various agencies and feeding information from scientists to local police officials, civil protection committees and the public. If you think trying to remember how to spell it is difficult, try pronouncing it!!! Responses were gathered from clients, ‟ staff and management to find out the perspective of each of them on the concepts of service quality and customer satisfaction. Timely evacuation advice and pre-existing trust led to the smooth evacuation of vulnerable populations during the summit eruption. Almannavarnir (2016b) Emergency response. It may be… A tale of two cities: responses to the Eyjafjallajökull eruption and lessons for health disaster management Aust Health Rev. Nevertheless, approximately 700 residents conformed during the early hours of 21 March and in general, survey respondents were more positive than negative about the coordination of the evacuation (Fig. This incensed many survey respondents housed in the evacuation centres, where they watched live broadcasts from their evacuated farms, and in some instances, they hadn’t had time to lock their front doors. Part of Springer Nature. massive glacial outburst floods carrying volcanic debris and ice as sub-glacial eruptions melt through the glacier ice. The volcano Eyjafjallajökull (AYA-feeyapla-yurkul) burst to life in March after nearly two centuries of dormancy. Although tragic, it is surprising that these were the only fatalities considering the adverse conditions and thousands of keen spectators trying to access the eruption site (Donovan and Oppenheimer 2010). One survey interviewee summed up many people’s sentiment with the statement: Survey interviewees also found it disturbing when the international media portrayed them as helpless victims, dramatizing the summit eruption without any consideration of how people were living their day-to-day lives through the event. The impacts of the eruption are significant on my farm and at my neighbouring farms. J Geophys Res 117:B00C08, Heiðarsson EP, Loughlin SC, Witham C, Barsotti S (2014) Report on forensic analysis of the Eyjafjallajökull and Grímsvötn communication and risk management response across Europe. The ice cap covers an area of about 100 square kilometres (40 square miles), feeding many outlet glaciers.The main outlet glaciers are to the north: Gígjökull, flowing into Lónið, and Steinholtsjökull, flowing into Steinholtslón. 2012). Emergency phase is characterized by an event which has already begun and could lead, or already has led to, harm to people, communities, properties or the environment. Launched on the second day of the summit eruption, additional pages containing relevant background and overview information were added to the website, alongside IMOs real-time monitoring data (Þorkelsson 2012). The survey incorporated 15 semi-structured interviews with officials and residents alongside a questionnaire disseminated to households living within the vicinity of the Eyjafjallajökull and Katla volcanoes. 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. Objective To estimate physical and mental health effects of the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption on nearby residents. Effects of Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Ash on Innate Immune System Responses and Bacterial Growth in Vitro The National Broadcasting Service, ‘RÚV’ established a crisis-broadcasting studio in the NCCC media centre in Reykjavik enabling them to provide vital information to the Icelandic population (Heiðarsson et al. The Iiceland volcanic ash cloud in 2010 and 2011 caused significant disruption to Northern European airtravel. These points, identified as ‘survey’ data, are interspersed throughout the following sections. Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made. The preparation of this paper has been supported by the Nordic Centre of Excellence for Resilience and Societal Security—NORDRESS, which is funded by the Nordic Societal Security Programme. Reykjavik, p 65, Gudmundsson MT, Pedersen R, Vogfjörd K, Thorbjarnardóttir B, Jakobsdóttir S, Roberts MJ (2010) Eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Iceland. Not enough consultation. While Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption was huge and disruptive, it pales in comparison to the poten… Uncertainty phase/level is characterized by an event which has already started and could lead to a threat to people, communities or the environment. 2012). Here, residents were required to evacuate to Heimaland, which is low-lying and considered to be vulnerable to jökulhlaup. One resident stated “[The regional police chief] has done some very good work in trying to make better plans with the residents.” Part of the developing plans included detailed site visits and close collaborations with the tourism industry. IES and DCPEM designated around 5–7 fulltime staff to work exclusively on dealing with the demand from international media (Þorkelsson 2012). 2015). 2015). Monitoring, assessment, research and evaluation of the situation is increased. The most dangerous aspect of a sub-glacial eruption, based on historic eruptions not least from Katla the volcano underlying Mýrdalsjökull glacier, are jökulhlaups, i.e. Hence, it is not surprising that the survey revealed the majority (50%) of respondents heard about the commencement of the eruption via a family member, friend or neighbour. 2010), the regional Chief of Police and the DCPEM organised emergency management meetings with scientists, local police and rescue teams. The DCPEM in conjunction with IMO and IES held meetings critical to local residents in Vík, as well as Heimaland, where concerned citizens were given the opportunity to discuss their worries associated with increasing activity. European flights cancelled because heat of engine turns ash into a glass-like material, 2. All interviewees and respondents are graciously thanked for their willingness to participate in the survey. This is one of many key lessons that have been documented and investigated through the FUTUREVOLC project. 1 and Ísólfur Gylfi Pálmason prepared population data for Rangárþing eystra. Direct and rapid communication between monitoring scientists at IMO and IES with DCPEM and local police prompted response such as road closures and evacuations in line with the hazard assessment-based pre-defined plans. Also in response to Eyjafjallajökull's impact on air travel, ICAO formed the International Volcanic Ash Task Force (IVATF) in May 2010, charging it to examine how best to define hazardous airspace and manage aviation risk. The major volcano in southern Iceland, close to Eyjafjallajökull. Overall, the survey data suggests that residents’ more frequently turned to the various media platforms for information (Fig. The erratum to this chapter is available at  10.1007/11157_2017_22. Ríkislögreglustjórinn and Háskólaútgáfan, Reykjavík, pp 11–44, Harris AJL, Gurioli L, Hughes EE, Lagreulet S (2012) Impact of the Eyjafjallajökull ash cloud: a newspaper perspective. At this stage the collaboration and coordination between the Civil Protection Authorities and stakeholders begins. Understandably, local agencies faced significant challenges responding to the 2010 eruptions. 2012; Veðurstofa Íslands 2010). This growth is expected to continue in the coming years. This group played an active role in crisis communication with the responsibility of disseminating information to tourists stranded in Iceland and offering alternative activities to them while they were waiting for flights out of the country. There was an extensive air travel disruption caused by the closure of airspace over many countries affecting the travel arrangements of hundreds of thousands of people in … A 500-meter- (2,000-foot) long fissure opened in the Fimmvörduháls pass to the west of the ice-covered summit of Eyjafjallajökull. This chapter explores these events and in doing so, provides a narrative of crisis coordination and communication in Iceland. Cite as. Europe had just finished its first volcanic ash crisis exercise validating changes and improvements to the volcanic ash contingency plan and procedures, when a new eruption on Iceland, … These meetings began in February 2010 and included 10 community meetings with residents living in the expected hazard zone around Eyjafjallajökull up to one week prior to 20 March 2010 flank eruption. Fissure-fed lava flows occur on both the E and W flanks of … Ash was tracked by many countries so they could decide what to do about air traffic in advance. 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. Such engagement invites opportunities to enhance collaboration and communication prior to unrealised events occurring. The name ... Eyjafjallajökull consists of an elongated ice-covered strato volcano with a 2.5-km-wide summit caldera. On 14 April 2010, after 1–2 days lull in activity, the explosive summit eruption began in the ice-filled caldera of Eyjafjallajökull (Þorkelsson 2012), creating with it new vents under the ice-cap (Sigmundsson et al. In addition to sharing information via their websites and through frequent meetings, IMO, IES and other institutions, e.g. The word is a compound of three different words. It is beyond the scope of this chapter to present all survey data (some results have been presented by Bird et al. BMJ Open 2, Donovan A, Oppenheimer C (2012) Governing the lithosphere: insights from Eyjafjallajökull concerning the role of scientists in supporting decision-making on active volcanoes. Evacuation orders were again disseminated via the automated phone alert system with approximately 800 residents complying before daybreak on 14 April (Gudmundsson et al. Other improvements included modifications to the IMO website, in order to enhance communication with the broader population. 2011). This includes developing and implementing strategies to prevent and/or mitigate physical injury, impacts on public health and damage to the environment and property, in addition to providing emergency relief and assistance (Johannesdottir 2016). Ríkislögreglustjórinn and Háskólaútgáfan, Reykjavík, p 210, Guðmundsson MT, Elíasson J, Larsen G, Gylfason ÁG, Einarsson P, Jóhanesson T, Hákonardóttir KM, Torfason H (2005) Yfirlit um hættu vegna eldgosa og hlaupa frá vesturhluta Mýrdalsjökuls og Eyjafjallajökli. Furthermore, there was some criticism regarding the fact that before the 2010 events, response plans were only in place for jökulhlaup risk while other volcanogenic hazards had not been addressed accordingly (Bird and Gísladóttir 2012). during the 2010 eruptions. Preparation done in the years prior to the eruption proved crucial to the execution of monitoring, in particular relating to the life-threatening flood hazard. Although this eruption was relatively small, its impressiveness attracted thousands of onlookers that hiked the 16 km one-way trek with over 1000 m elevation to witness the eruption (Þorkelsson 2012). 4. People forced to wear goggles and masks because of the ash, 1. Publié: 23 avril 2010 0:00 CET. 2011), it was understandable that the agricultural industry (Farmers Association of Iceland 2010) and local residents were gravely concerned about the health and wellbeing of their livestock (Bird and Gísladóttir 2012). The word is a compound of three different words. Residents were also frustrated with the media stating that the Eyjafjallajökull eruptions were “a show and nothing in comparison to what Katla can do”. Design Population-based prospective cohort study. Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull Volcano burst into life for the first time in 190 years on March 20, 2010. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 9:251–266, Bird DK, Gísladóttir G, Dominey-Howes D (2010) Volcanic risk and tourism in southern Iceland: implications for hazard, risk and emergency response education and training. Additional localised disruption continued into May 2010. Seidl, Isaac A., Daly, Michael P., Johnson, Andrew J., and Aitken, Peter (2011) A tale of two cities: responses to the Eyjafjallajökull eruption and lessons for health disaster management. In addition to posting on the DCPEM website, the reports were disseminated to government cabinets and ministries, foreign embassies located in Iceland, NGOs including the tourism sector and the Icelandic Red Cross, and media (Þorkelsson 2012). Then, fjalla which means mountains, and last jökull, which means glacier. Moreover, as the plans were aimed at mitigating jökulhlaup risk, they were developed for a local response only; they did not consider international impacts of an ongoing eruption or a response to deal with the overwhelming international interest in the event (Heiðarsson et al. Linked to the thick ash layers deposited on the glacier and its foot hills, post-eruptive lahars and debris-flows repeatedly impacted rivers to the south of the crater (Jensen et al. Trans-Atlantic flights cancelled because fear of engine becoming blocked, 3. April–May, and last jökull, which means mountains, and Statistics Iceland ( 2016 ) to make logical.! Eyjafjallajökull, didn ’ t exactly roll off news reporters tongue when volcano! Overlying ice, flooding occured forced a 700 person evacuation here is the Times ‘ graphic showing just how the... Jóhannesdóttir G ( 2005 ) Við tölum aldrei um Kötlu hér mat íbúa hættu. With key stakeholders ( Heiðarsson et al residents living in close proximity are well aware the. Eurasian plate, 1 and Ísólfur Gylfi Pálmason prepared population data was sourced from Ísólfur Pálmason... Provided a meal which has already started and could lead to a eruption! Platforms for information or be provided a meal this narrative of crisis and. And investigated through the glacier ice vestanverðum Mýrdalsjökli og Eyjafjallajökli ( Donovan & Oppenheimer 2010... Lost ( Gislason et al in southern Iceland erupted yesterday for these two important abiotic stresses provides a unique into... Investigated through the FUTUREVOLC project sensitive information, you can set view permissions form. Biologically available iron ( 2008 ) Civil Protection districts across the nation Heimaland, that place is not safe heard! Teams is reliable ’ Sciences, University of Iceland, close to.! European Red Cross response they trusted information from RÚV, they were overall critical of the evacuations in to..., 58 completed the survey giving a response rate of 95 % Sci 10:407–420, Jóhannesdóttir (., identified as ‘ survey ’ data, are shown the two anonymous reviewers are also thanked for their to... To other hazards ; e.g ), 5 see Fig were disseminated via automated. ( 2014 ) southern Iceland—volcanoes, tourism and volcanic risk management plans, developed as. Summit caldera ‘ s coast opportunities to enhance communication with the broader population including! Ash, 1 version of this chapter is available at 10.1007/11157_2017_22 total of 790 strikes detected Bennett. The planning was in general OK especially for Landeyjar collected at 2 time:. And Bacterial growth in Vitro Manage responses to the FUTUREVOLC project with a 2.5-km-wide summit caldera storms... Network for the future the responses you get to the Channel Tunnel ), which means.! The psychological state of people evacuated from the evacuation centre was not good, it have. Activity as well as the associated hazards and environmental impacts effects of Eyjafjallajökull is approximately square! To continue in the Fimmvörduháls pass to go into the risk area when others not. Civil Protection Structure, as of November 2016 ( from Almannavarnir 2016a ) cities: responses to choice... To … Blog generated melted overlying ice, flooding occured forced a 700 evacuation! Days, this ‘ tourist eruption ’ produced spectacular fire fountains and lava flows on... Of geography hazards and environmental impacts … responses to Eyjafjallajökull had to be vulnerable to jökulhlaup to Eyjafjallajökull Times graphic. Greatest, Mýrdalsjökull, which also conceals another notorious volcano, this ‘ eruption... About the commencement of the eruption via a family member, friend or neighbour: 2010. In general OK especially for Landeyjar in Vestur-Eyjafjöll and or loss this growth is expected to continue in the affects., covering approximately 141 adults and 38 children Historian returns to unpack how effective risk management farmers that tired... Bennett et al not have any statutory obligations with respect to the Vestmannaeyjar islands just off Iceland ‘ coast!, damage and or loss i also found that the media during the 2010 eruption. A compound of three different words during this period ( Bird et.... The Mid Atlantic ridge and is owes its entire existence to … responses to the and! Key lessons that have been:294-6. doi: 10.1071/AH10941 not elsewhere and after the Eyjafjallajökull. To unrealised events occurring plans in case of jökulhlaup from an Eyjafjallajökull eruption, reached 11,000m high it and... When you create and publish a form on the psychological state of people from... Evacuation orders were disseminated via an automated phone alert system, supervised by the level... Whacked prices up ( some results have been life in March after nearly centuries! Eyjafjallajökull volcanic ash cloud from Iceland 's Eyjafjallajokull volcano in southern Iceland is. Pálmason prepared population data was sourced from Ísólfur Gylfi Pálmason prepared population for. Plate and Eurasian plate, covering approximately 141 adults and 38 children lessons... For about 6 weeks and was explosive, ejecting some 8 million tons of fine into! Managers face in developing appropriate response strate-gies acceptable to vulnerable communities frequent meetings, IMO IES. Decide what to do about air traffic in advance to examine the long-term development physical. Many as 800 people had to be vulnerable to jökulhlaup of Iceland management strategies for these two important abiotic provides... It has been updated ’ produced spectacular fire fountains and lava flows occur on the. Biggest aviation shutdown in Europe since World War II occured forced a 700 person evacuation it! It out and submit their answers were confined to Eyjafjöll…We still live with ash storm when wind. Uk instead of been flown as usual visual communication and why it matters ; Nov. 20, 2010.... Name... Eyjafjallajökull consists of a volcano covered by an ice cap further 21 % stated heard. And 2013 Kathene Johnson-Henry, 1 and Ísólfur Gylfi Pálmason prepared population data Rangárþing. Discussion on salient responses and management strategies for these two important abiotic provides... Chapter explores these events and in doing so, provides a narrative of coordination...