The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull
Iceland is situated on the mid Atlantic ridge. This is on the plate boundary between the north American plate and the Eurasian plate
Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull Volcano burst into life for the first time in 190 years on March 20, 2010. A 500-meter- (2,000-foot) long fissure opened in the Fimmvörduháls pass to the west of the ice-covered summit of Eyjafjallajökull. Lava fountains erupted fluid magma, which quickly built several hills of bubble-filled lava rocks (scoria) along the vent. A lava flow spread northeast, spilling into Hrunagil Gully.
2010-03-20 00:00:00
The first phase
Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull Volcano burst into life for the first time in 190 years.
2010-03-21 00:00:00
The first phase
This eruption produced a spectacular Volcanic Disneyland and tourists flocked to the site to see amazing lava flows.
2010-03-23 00:00:00
New story 1
From pilot observations the ash cloud is estimated at 9,800 ft, the plume was entirely white meaning it was completely water vapour.
2010-03-30 00:00:00
The first phase
Lava and basalt covered around one square kilometer and many thought that the eruption was over.
2010-03-31 00:00:00
The first phase
A new 400 m long fissure opened, up west of the first one.
2010-04-12 00:00:00
The first phase
A second volcanic fissure opened and scientists measured a 3.2 magnitude earthquakehere
2010-04-13 00:00:00
The second phase
Another earthquake measuring 2.5 magnitude was recorded beneath the Eyjafjallajökull ice cap.
2010-04-14 11:38:06
The second phase
Eyjafjallajökull burst open.
2010-04-15 00:00:00
The second phase
The ash plume reached, mainland Europe, closing airports in UK, Scandinavia and Northern Europe
2010-04-16 00:00:00
The second phase
An eruptive column reached 26,000 ft with lightning frequently seen within the plume.
2010-04-17 00:00:00
the second phase
Less explosively the eruption continued, with the plume rising 16,000 ft, not as high as before as it was not high enough to travel across Europe again; however the plume was still crossing over Northern Europe.
2010-04-18 00:00:00
the second phase
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) detected through radar that the plume is beneath 10,000 ft.
2010-04-19 00:00:00
the second phase
Lava is seen at the eruption site, perhaps signaling a reduction in the explosive stage of the eruption and an end to the ash cloud.
2010-04-20 00:00:00
the second phase
The volcano was spewing heavy ash and lava after calming through the past 24 hours.
2010-04-21 00:00:00
The second phase
IMO reported a decrease in seismic activity also a decrease of ash ejection and increase in lava flow.
2010-04-22 00:00:00
The second phase
A nearby volcano, Katla, is known to have previously erupted after eruptions from Eyjafjallajokull.
2010-04-24 00:00:00
The second phase
11 days since the second eruption phase, the plume reached 13,000 ft while mildly explosive.
2010-04-28 00:00:00
The second phase
Continued disruption to flights and closure of some airports in Iceland.
2010-04-29 00:00:00
The second phase
Plume elevations, magma discharge levels and tremors continued similar to the previous seven days, but with less intensity than at the peak.
2010-05-02 00:00:00
The second phase
The lava producing phase became larger than the explosive phase.
2010-05-03 00:00:00
The second phase
The plume grew to between 16,000-18,000 ft.
2010-05-04 00:00:00
The second phase
The plume reached 19,000-20,000 ft in height heading south-east visible 300-400km away.
2010-05-05 00:00:00
The second phase
The volcano entered new phase and shift back from lava to ash production according IMO including a considerable increase in explosive activity and ash fall.
2010-05-07 00:00:00
The second phase
Heavy ash fall resulted in the closing of school in southern Ireland.
2010-05-09 00:00:00
The second phase
The ash cloud caused disruption to transatlantic flights as it moved towards Spain.
2010-05-10 00:00:00
The second phase
The ash cloud rose to between 5 and 6 kilometres (16,000 and 20,000 ft)
2010-05-12 00:00:00
The second phase
The eruption from Eyjafjallajökull continued to produce ash plumes from the summit vent.
2010-05-19 00:00:00
The second phase
Due to heavy rainfall around the volcano and the fallen ash, heavy mudslides occurred in Svaðbæli River.
2010-05-20 00:00:00
The second phase
Due to weather the volcano has not been visible for two days. The eruption is mostly explosive, no lava output.
2010-05-21 00:00:00
The third phase
Light gray plumes with small amounts of ash rose to altitudes of 3-4 km (9,800-13,100 ft)
2010-05-23 00:00:00
Return to dormancy
From pilot observations the ash cloud is estimated at 9,800 ft, the plume was entirely white meaning it was completely water vapour.