World map view of the volcanic ash spread from the eruption.
1) Location of volcano
Eyjafjallajokull is one of the smaller glaciers of Iceland. It is situated to the north of Skogar and to the west of the larger glacier Myrdalsjokull. Underneath that was where the previously inactive volcano exploded.
2) Economics
The economic ramifications caused by the activity of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano are mouinting, with airlines reporting losses on the scale of $200 million per day following the shutdown of many European airports, and a wider impact moving across the globe as trade goods transported by air have been unable to reach their markets.
3) Physical Geography/Geology
University College London volcanologist Peter Sammonds told the U.S. television network PBS’ NewsHour April 16 "that the ash is being created by molten rock erupting from Eyjafjallajökull that is melting a glacier above it, and that the melted water is fragmenting the magma, thereby producing a very fine ash that is then ejected high into the atmosphere above Iceland." This could explain why this cloud has been causing so much confusion and chaos. The watery mist allows it to spread around much more effectively than if it was not under an iceberg.
The drifting cloud of ash and dust has been moving east from Iceland at an altitude of 20,000 to 36,000 feet, the range where airliners normally fly. Aircraft have been grounded because the small particles of volcanic material can damage jet engines
4) Politics
Europe's aviation industry has criticized the way the crisis has been handled, accusing governments of over-reacting and waiting too long to come up with a coordinated plan.
The head of the International Air Transport Association, Giovanni Bisignani said the scale of the economic impact on aviation, reaching $1 billion, is greater than the September 11, 2001, terror attacks when U.S. airspace was closed for three days.
He called the situation "embarrassing" and a "European mess."
Germany's aviation authority on Monday announced the resumption of long-haul flights by the country's flag carrier, Lufthansa, bringing some 15,000 passengers home from East Asia, Africa and North America. And Britain has dispatched three navy ships to bring stranded passengers back home across the English Channel.
5) Movement of People/Transportation
The airlines use the phrase, irregular operations, to refer to travel disruptions caused by blizzards, power failures and thunderstorms. But, what happened in the wake of this volcano eruption was referred to by a different phrase, total chaos. The number of flight cancellations of more than 100,000 between April 15 and 21 had affected millions of travelers, and the fallout is expected to cost the airline industry $1.7 billion. This has probably affected someone that you may know, as it almost disrupted the entire traveling world as we know it. Of all the angles and subject areas in this case, people and transportation were probably the most severely affected by this eruption.
