New
New
Year 4

The impact of eruptions: Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland

I can describe and explain the forces at work when volcanoes erupt, and how these may alter the landscape and environment.

New
New
Year 4

The impact of eruptions: Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland

I can describe and explain the forces at work when volcanoes erupt, and how these may alter the landscape and environment.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Iceland is located on the Mid Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge.
  2. The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull occurred on 14 April 2010 and continued for over one month.
  3. Heat from the eruption caused the glacier covering Eyjafjallajökull to melt and the resulting flood water damaged roads.
  4. Ash from the eruption rose high into the atmosphere and grounded aircraft, impacting on the European economy.

Keywords

  • Diverge - To diverge is to go in different directions from the same starting point

  • Economy - The economy is the way money in a particular area is made and spent

  • Meltwater - Meltwater is water from the melting of snow or ice

Common misconception

Pupils assume that all volcanic eruptions cause fatalities.

Fatalities are reduced through detection and warning systems; evacuation procedures; emergency service response, training and funding. Iceland is very well prepared for volcanic eruptions.

Learn how to pronounce and spell Eyjafjallajökull before the lesson or use its nickname: E15.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Iceland is located in which continent?
North America
South America
Africa
Correct answer: Europe
Asia
Q2.
Earth's mantle is being melted and moved by which of Earth's layers?
the crust
the mantle
Correct answer: the core
Q3.
The impact of a volcano is...
Correct answer: the effect it has
the strength of its eruption
the location it is in
the duration of its eruption
Q4.
What does volcanic ash consist of?
lava
magma
minerals
Correct answer: minerals, rock and glass
Q5.
The majority of volcanoes occur...
Correct answer: at tectonic plate boundaries
randomly
where land meets the sea
Q6.
When tectonic plates move away from each other they...
Correct answer: converge
diverge
increase speed

6 Questions

Q1.
In what year did E15 erupt?
2008
Correct answer: 2010
2012
2014
2016
Q2.
Iceland sits on a 16,000km long tectonic plate boundary that cuts through its centre. What is this tectonic plate boundary known as?
The Mid-Pacific Ridge
The Mid-Arctic Ridge
Correct answer: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge
The Mid-Antarctic Ridge
Q3.
At the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, two tectonic plates (the North American plate and the Eurasian plate) diverge or move apart. The North American plate moves west and the Eurasian plate moves...
Correct Answer: East
Q4.
When E15 erupted it lay beneath a 200m thick sheet of...
Correct Answer: ice
Q5.
Ash from the eruption of E15 rose high into the atmosphere and grounded...
cars
boats
Correct answer: aeroplanes
trains
Q6.
Which was an impact of flooding from the eruption of E15 in Iceland?
flights were cancelled
many lives were lost
Correct answer: roads were closed and 700 people were evacuated