Eyjafjallajökull is a relatively small glacier-capped stratovolcano located in the southern part of Iceland, standing at 1,651 meters (5,417 feet) high. It lies between the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap to the east and the smaller Tindfjallajökull to the north.
The volcano has a summit caldera and multiple eruption fissures, with its name translating from Icelandic as "Island Mountain Glacier." It is part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge, creating conditions for volcanic activity. Eyjafjallajökull has erupted relatively frequently in the last 2,000 years, with significant events recorded in the 9th and 16th centuries.
The most notable eruption in recent history occurred in 2010, starting in March and continuing through May. This event garnered worldwide attention due to the vast ash cloud it produced, which led to extensive disruptions in air travel across Europe:
The ash cloud from the eruption caused the closure of European airspace for six days, leading to the cancellation of approximately 100,000 flights and affecting over 10 million travelers. The economic impact was estimated to be in billions of euros.
The 2010 eruption had significant environmental impacts, including:
Culturally, the eruption brought attention to Iceland's volcanic landscape and its potential for disruptions in global travel. It also inspired numerous scientific studies on volcanic ash, aviation safety, and emergency response.
Since the 2010 eruption, monitoring of Eyjafjallajökull has been intensified. The Icelandic Meteorological Office and other institutions use various methods like:
Research continues to understand better the dynamics of volcanic eruptions under glaciers and the potential hazards they pose.