Eyjafjallajökull ash cloud

After seismic activity in late 2009, Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland began to erupt on 20 March 2010. On 14 April 2010, an eruption under the ice cap created a plume of ash which rose to altitudes used by jet aircraft. Beginning on 15 April 2010 the plume caused the closure of airports and major disruption to air travel across NW Europe and between Europe and N. America. The Special Session will discuss the volcanological setting, atmospheric transport and use of predictive modelling of the ash plume, and the palaeorecord of Icelandic eruptions affecting Europe's climate and economy. A panel discussion will explore the implications and precautionary lessons for Iceland and Europe.

Speakers:

Thor Thordason on Eyjafjallajökull Volcanology;

Andreas Stohl and the NILU flexpart team on Eyjafjallajökull Ash Plume Transport;

Fred Prata on Wider implications for the airline industry of the Eyjafjallajökull event.

There is also a tentative talk, Iceland's impact on Europe, now and in the recent past.

In addition to an hour of experts speaking, there will be a panel discussion on "Europe's vulnerability to volcanic events"

Provided by European Geosciences Union