|
Iceland is one of the only places on Earth where a divergent plate boundary can be seen above sea level. Indeed, a divergent plate margin runs through the MEDC (More Economically Developed Country), and plate movement between the North American Plate and Eurasian Plate cause the formation of volcanoes such as Mount Eldfell. Mount Eldfell, 200 meters high, formed a volcanic eruption on the 23rd January 1973, just outside the town of Heimaey. It is a wonder how the island risked permanent evacuation from the eruption, yet was prevented manually form destroying major ports, which Iceland greatly rely on for their economy. |
Causes and Information of the 1973 Eruption:
The 1973 Heimaey Mt Eldfell eruption started on the 23rd January 1973, with the opening of a 1600 meter long fissure on the east side of the island, formed from the North American Plate and Eurasian Plate moving away from each other. While a few minor earthquakes had been felt prior to the eruption, it still came unexpectedly. Action from emergency services was immediate, however, and by the morning of 23rd January, most urgent rescue missions had ended and all nearby homes were evacuated. During the first few hours of the eruption, lava was ejected 50 to 200 meters high from the Volcano. By that time, the fissure had extended across the entire island, sending lava everywhere. The volcanic eruption continued from two main craters the next day. On the 6th February, only one crater remained, where volcanic activity continued until the 26th June. About 230 million meters cubed of lava and 20 million meters cubed of tephra (pyroclastic rock) had been ejected from Mt Eldfell.
Effects of the Eruption:
SOCIAL:
Nearly all of the island’s 5,300 residents were evacuated by fishing boats to the mainland, and they temporarily could not return. This pre-planned evacuation route resulted in no lives being lost from the eruption; even though the natural disaster came without warning, the community was still prepared. 300 buildings were destroyed from lava flows and fire. An additional 60 to 70 homes were also destroyed by tephra (falling volcanic rock and ash). In total, one third of the main town of Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar, was destroyed completely. This, however, could have been much more, if not for the crews of volunteers which sprayed seawater continuously onto the lava flows to try and solidify them. This group also managed to redirect the lava flows by gigging large trenches for the lava to fill up, and change direction in the process. The volunteers also attempted to save buildings by clearing tephra from the roofs and putting metal sheets on the windows to protect them from shattering. |
ECONOMICAL:
The island of Heimay’s fishing port was at risk of being demolished from the eruption. This would mean a significant decrease in Iceland’s importing income, as it mainly consists of fish, leading to a decline in the country’s economy. It would also mean a loss of employment, as most people in Heimay are fisherman. Luckily, most of the island was saved by using large trenches as barriers and huge pumps of water to cool the lava flows. By the time the eruption was over, the town's harbour was even better than before - the new land created from the solidified lava gave greater protection from wind and water. Flying lava rocks caused many buildings to collapse, including business ones, proving to be a minor economic impact from the eruption. For example, in March, a new surge of lava destroyed three large fish-freezing plants as well as the local power-generating facility |
ENVIRONMENTAL:
There were not many severe environmental impacts from the eruption. There was some underwater volcanic activity during the ongoing eruptions, which caused the water pipeline to Heimaey to break. While the island had been evacuated up to six hours after the first eruption, there was still no clean drinking water supply for the very few people who chose to stay on the island. Also, many trees and plants were demolished from the eruption, but have been replanted since. |