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
- Iceland is located on the Mid Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge.
- The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull occurred on 14 April 2010 and continued for over one month.
- Heat from the eruption caused the glacier covering Eyjafjallajökull to melt and the resulting flood water damaged roads.
- 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 (2025), 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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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Iceland is located in which continent?
North America
South America
Africa
Asia
Q2.
Earth's mantle is being melted and moved by which of Earth's layers?
the crust
the mantle
Q3.
The impact of a volcano is...
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
Q5.
The majority of volcanoes occur...
randomly
where land meets the sea
Q6.
When tectonic plates move away from each other they...
diverge
increase speed
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
In what year did E15 erupt?
2008
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
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...
Q4.
When E15 erupted it lay beneath a 200m thick sheet of...
Q5.
Ash from the eruption of E15 rose high into the atmosphere and grounded...
cars
boats
trains
Q6.
Which was an impact of flooding from the eruption of E15 in Iceland?
flights were cancelled
many lives were lost