Eyjafjallajökull Volcano


Icelands Eyjafjallajökull volcano hit the headlines in April 2010, when powerful phreatomagmatic activity during the first days of its eruption led to widespread disruption of air travel in much of Europe. By early may, when the glacial cap had been melted in the vicinity of the active vents, activity became largely magmatic as documented by the photos herein which cover the period from 7-14 May, 2010.


Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions

Summit region - View from west

Summit region - View from southwest

Eyjafjallajökull, also known as Eyjafjöll, lies south of the intersect between Iceland's East Volcanic Zone (EVZ), a NE-SW trending rift system, and the E-W trending South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ). The EVZ is currently the main zone of divergence between the North American and Eurasian plates on the Icelandic landmass, with slightly less divergence currently occurring at the parallel Western Volcanic Zone. No significant divergence is presently taking place at Eyjafjallajökull or the neighbouring Katla volcano, about 25 km to its East. Both can be considered as intraplate volcanoes lying within the Eurasian plate, albeit in a region influenced by the nearby rift zone, and indeed into which the rift is thought to be gradually propagating (see e.g. Thordarson and Larsen, 2007. J. Geodynamics 43, p.118-152 for general review of geology and volcanism in iceland).

Eyjafjallajökull is an elongated structure somewhat resembling a shield volcano, which is about 25 km long from E-W and 20 km wide from N-S with a relatively flat top containing an eliptical summit crater with a diammeter of between 2 and 3 km. Most of the fissures and crater rows are correspondingly E-W oriented. The rim has three highpoints, known as Gudnnastein, Godastein and Hamundur, the latter being the summit at 1650 m elevation. The upper parts of the structure are relatively flat but the flanks are heavily eroded and drop off steeply at the edges. The summit crater and some of the surroundings are glaciated, with a maximum thickness of about 200 m, and the Gigjökull glacier extends from a breach in the north crater wall down to near the valley floor. The volcano is connected at its east side to adjacent Katla volcano. The shoulder between the two volcanoes is known as the Fimmvörduhals area and is about 1100 m high. The oldest exposed rocks of Eyjafjallajökull have been found in the area SSE of the summit crater, and are about 800000 years old, making the volcano one of the oldest in iceland. Like many of the larger volcanic bodies in Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull has a foundation that was largely constructed subglacially, this probably accounting for its steep lower flanks (for a general review of volcanism in Iceland see e.g. Thordarson and Larsen, 2007. J. Geodynamics 43, p.118-152).

Historical eruptions have been documented at Eyjafjallajökull in 920, 1612 and in the period from December 1821 till 1823, with each of these eruptions soon followed by or even overlapping with an eruption of nearby Katla volcano. Hence, there is much speculation that the 2010 eruption may also be followed shortly by activity at Katla.


Eyjafjallajökull generally has little seismicity, yet seismic unrest was recorded in 1994, 1996 and 1999. In December 2009, monitoring equipment started to note rapid deformation of the ediface. By 04.03.2010, rapid deformation was noted and seismic signal sources were ascending, indicating rising magma. As the sources rose, the location moved from the vicinity of the summit towards the Fimmvörduhals area where the eruption was eventually to start. The precursory activity in the 1990s has been well documented and is well summarized by Sturkell et al. (Developments in Quaternary Sci. 13, p.5-21). Eyjafjallajökull is considered to lack a near-surface magma chamber and can thus be considered as a "cold" volcano, in contrast to nearby Katla which has a relatively shallow magma chamber as little as 2-3 km under the northern part of its summit caldera. The lack of a large magma chamber can explain the small volumes of material generally erupted by Eyjafjallajökull volcano, estimated at no more than 0.1 cubic km for each of its previous historic eruptions. The 1994 and 1999 seismic episodes have been attributed to intrusion of magma into two horizontal circular sills extending from the conduit under the N flank to the area under the SE flank of the volcano at a depth of 4-6 km. The minor 1996 episode is thought to be associated with development of the conduit feeding the intrusions. Ground-based GPS monitoring stations measured ground deformation in 1994 and 1999. This was confirmed by mapping of the glacier-free flanks with Satellite-based InSAR radar technology for the 1999 episode (Pedersen and Sigmundsson 2006. Bull. Volc. 68, p.377-393). Based on this technology it was calculated that the sill was opened to a maximum height of about 1 meter and received a total of 0.03 cubic km of magma, with an initial intrusion rate of about 5 m/sec, which gradually declined over a period of several weeks. The intrusion was suggested to lie at a depth of 6.3 km, whilst Sturkell placed it at about 3.5 km based on the GPS data.


The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull can be split into two distinct phase. The first phase consisted of fissure eruptions in the Fimmvörduhals area about 10km east of the summit crater, and was notable for periods of sustained lava fountaining. A first NE-oriented approximately 500 m long fissure opened late on 20.03.2010, and lava subsequently fountained from a series of closely-spaced vents. This activity continued and fed lava flows which advanced north in the following days, descending into the Hrunagil and Hvannargil valleys, at times cascading down steep cliffs. On 31.03.2010, a shorter new fissure opened north of the old one and for about 1 week lava fountaining could be observed from points along both of the parallel fissures. By 07.04.2010, activity was restricted to the more recent fissure before it cessated completely on 11.04.2010. Lava from the fissures was alkali-olivine basalt with about 48% silicate.

The second phase of the eruption started in the night from 13-14.04.2010 and was associated with a seismic swarm lasting for about 2 hours in the middle of the night. Activity was now focussed on the central crater of Eyjafjallajökull in which a 2 km long N-S trending fissure had opened. This rapidly melted the overlying glacier, resulting in spectacular phreatomagmatic activity accompanied by magnificent displays of lightning, first visible on the 17th as the weather began to improve. Meltwaters from the glacial cap flowed down the N flank through the Gigjökull glacier and into the Markarfljot drainage, causing surges of floodwater to threaten nearby farms and the main road along the south coast into which the Markarfljot river drains. Eruptive activity remained high for several weeks and the ash clouds were blown into European airspace causing severe disruptions. The ash cloud reached a maximum height of about 8 km on April 15. Ash from this phase of the eruption was trachyandesitic in nature with about 58% silicate. Activity remained high for weeks, although after melting of the summit glacier, the reduced involvement of water made the eruption less violent. At around 23.05.2010, ash emissions ceased. Whether this marks a pause or the end of the eruption remains to be seen. A more detailed chronology of the eruption can be found in the SGVP monthly reports (03/2010 BVGN 35:03).


View of Eyjafjallajökull from the Northwest

Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupting ash cloud Eyjafjallajökull volcano ash cloud Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupting dense ash cloud

Ash clouds rising from the summit region

Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupting at dusk Eyjafjallajökull volcano ash cloud and steaming glacier

Strombolian activity at base of ash cloud

Steam rises from glacier whilst eruption continues unabated

Eyjafjallajökull volcano strombolian eruption Eyjafjallajökull volcano strombolian eruption

Strombolian activity

Strombolian activity

Eyjafjallajökull volcano strombolian eruption Eyjafjallajökull volcano strombolian eruption Eyjafjallajökull volcano hot ash eruption at night

Strombolian activity

Strombolian activity

Strombolian activity with incandescent ash cloud

Eyjafjallajökull volcano strombolian eruption Eyjafjallajökull volcano strombolian eruption Eyjafjallajökull volcano strombolian eruption

Strombolian activity


One of the main hazards of eruptions at the glacially capped volcanoes in southern island, such as Eyjafjallajökull, Katla or Grimsvotn, is the occurrence of sudden floods as meltwater resulting from eruptions under the glacial caps is released, often in surges. Such flooding is referred to as a Jokulhlaup, and was observed several times in the first days of summit activity at Eyjafjallajökull, in particular around midday on 14 April, some 12 hours after onset of summit activity and on the following evening. In order to avoid the crucial bridge along the main highway from being destroyed by the floodwaters, the road embankment was cut to provide an alternative path for the surge.


Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Farm with volcano erupting behind Eyjafjallajökull volcano view from main visitor viewpoint Eyjafjallajökull volcano Gigjökull glacier melted by lava flow

Farm with Eyjafjallajökull erupting in background

View from Northwest viewpoint

Gigjökull glacier partially melted by volcanic activity

Eyjafjallajökull volcano flood plain Repaired icelandic main highway after floods

Markarfljot valley which was flooded by meltwater of summit glacier at height of eruption. Numerous farms in the flood plain were evacuated.

Main Road (Highway 1) cut near junction to Seljalandsfoss during meltwater surges (Jokulhlaups) in Markjarfljot. Road was cut to take pressure off nearby bridge.

Images Taken from Hillside to WNW of Summit Region


The following section shows images that were taken from a slightly elevated position about 300 m above the road running along the northern side of the volcanic complex, at a distance of approx. 10 km from the crater on the evening of 11 May, 2010.


Eyjafjallajökull volcano from southwest Eyjafjallajökull volcano dark ash cloud Eyjafjallajökull volcano light ash cloud

View towards Eyjafjallajökull from west

Towering ash cloud

Slightly less dense lighter looking ash cloud

Eyjafjallajökull volcano ash cloud viewed over glacier from southwest Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupting in 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption 2010 viewed from SW

View of eruption over glacier

Eyjafjallajökull volcano ash cloud in evening light Eyjafjallajökull volcano bombs leave trails Eyjafjallajökull volcano ash clouds over glacier

Evening view showing bombs being hurled from crater

Bombs leave ash trails behind

Ash trails visible on left of billowing ash cloud

Eyjafjallajökull volcano strombolian eruption at night Eyjafjallajökull volcano strombolian eruption at night

Nighttime strombolian eruption

Nighttime strombolian eruption

Aerial Images


The aerial images are from an overflight from about 20:50 to 21:15 on May 12, 2010. This coincided with a slightly reduced level of activity which tended to be cyclical at during this phase of the eruption.


Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions

Explosion at base of column

Ash rapidly falling out at base of column

Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano 2010, ash eruptions Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano 2010, ash eruptions

Explosive activity

Rocks thrown skywards by force of explosion

Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash clouds Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash clouds

Approaching from southwest

View from west

Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions

Ash clouds


Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions, summit crater Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions, summit crater Aerial image, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions, summit crater

Ash clouds


Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions, summit crater Eyjafjallajökull volcano, ash eruptions, summit crater

View from northeast - note melted glacier bottom right

Summit region - View from ENE

Volcanic Lightning at Eyjafjallajökull


Whilst the spectacular volcanic lightning observed during the powerful phreatomagmatic phase of the eruption was no longer witnessed at the time of the visit, occasional static discharges could be observed, especially after damper weather arrived on the evening of May 13, when these images were taken. Interestingly, it was found that even the dilute plume, when sampled with a modified weather balloon over scotland some 1200 km from the volcano, was still able to build up a weak static charge (Harrison et al. 2010. Environ. Res. Lett. 5, 4pp).


Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupting with lightning in ash cloud, iceland 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano, lightning lights up ash cloud Eyjafjallajökull volcano ash cloud with lightning

Lightning resulting from static electricity buildup in the ash cloud

Effect of Ash on Surroundings of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano


Ashfall from Eyjafjallajökull has not only caused widespread and repeated disruption to air traffic, but also has a more local impact in areas nearer the volcano where ashfall is heavy. The ash is not only a nuisance but also causes major problems for livestock farmers since grazing pastures are coated and ingestion of significant amounts of fluorine-rich fallout may cause severe illness in cattle. Indeed, in 1822, farmers attributed the loss of cattle to fluoride poisoning from the ash. Fortunately, initial ash samples from Eyjafjallajökull did not appear to be as rich in fluorine as e.g. samples from previous Hekla eruptions, yet levels are still cause for concern.

The images below show dry ash fall along the southern coast as well as the effects of black (ash-carrying) rain in the Hvolsvöllur area, where everything was coated in a sticky black layer of ash in the morning of 14.05.2010. This followed a change of wind during the night which combined with incoming rainfall. Livestock largely remained outside as the area had previously remained largely unaffected.


Under ash cloud at south coast:


Ashfall, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, iceland Ashfall, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, iceland

Approaching ash cloud near Skogar

Under the main ash cloud on Road No.1

Ashfall, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, iceland Ashfall, Eyjafjallajökull volcano, iceland

Farm under the ash cloud

Straw bales coated in ash under ash cloud

Eyjafjallajökull volcano ash cloud heading off towards europe Eyjafjallajökull volcano shrouds surrounding landscape in ash

View of ash cloud heading out to sea from Skogar area

View of ash cloud in region south of volcano

Eyjafjallajökull volcano iceland dramatic ashladen sky Eyjafjallajökull volcano ash cloud

View of ash cloud from Skogar area

View of ash cloud from Skogar area

Eyjafjallajökull volcano view from south east Eyjafjallajökull volcano rivers carry ash to sea

Source of ash is briefly visible from just east of Skogar

River coloured by ash flows below ash cloud

Black Rain:


Ash on cars in Hvolsvöllur, iceland, Eyjafjallojökull volcano eruption Black rain over Hvolsvöllur. Ashfall from Eyjafjallojökull volcano eruption Cleaning ash off cars in Hvolsvöllur, iceland, Eyjafjallojökull volcano eruption

Ash coated cars, Hvolsvöllur

Black rain - water droplets full of ash

Cleaning up

Sheep coated in volcanic ash from Eyjafjallojökull volcano Horse covered in ash from Eyjafjallojökull volcano White Sheep coated in black volcanic ash from Eyjafjallojökull eruption, iceland

Sheep sheltering from ashfall

Horse covered in ash

Sheep covered with ash


Photovolcanica Full Index