[primary] geocommand - ash cloud shift

Welcome to your shift at GeoCommand -

the European Geographical Advisory Service.

You are in for a busy shift!

Your job is to operatethe 140 Console.

The 140 Consolebroadcasts news updates.

Each update is a maximum of 140 characters.

Air Traffic

Tectonic Health

Meteorology

You will receive updates from fourdifferent information streams.

This sound announcesa new update.

This sound requests a new 140 Console update.

You will be asked to produce140 Console updatesabout certain topics.

Your shift is about to start!

Tectonic

An unusual geographic event has occurred.

Strong seismic vibrations have been

measured. They originate in the region

of Iceland.

Tectonic

Tectonic

Eyjafjallajökull

Iceland

UK

NorwayTectonic

Location details.

(Eyjafjallajökull: pronounced eye-a-fyat-la-yo-kutl)

Where has the extreme geographical event

occurred? What do we know so far?

140 Console Update

Tectonic

On 26th February 2010, unusual seismic activity

along with rapid expansion of the Earth's crust was registered by

the Meteorological Institute of Iceland.

Tectonic

Tectonic

The volcano became more active on the 20th

March, 2010.Tectonic

Tectonic

Eyjafjallajökull erupted on April 14th, 2010.Tectonic

(Eyjafjallajökull: pronounced eye-a-fyat-la-yo-kutl)

Tectonic

The eruption is the first in Iceland since 2004.

It is the first eruption near Eyjafjallajökull

since 1823.

Tectonic

(Eyjafjallajökull: pronounced eye-a-fyat-la-yo-kutl)

What is the volcano’s eruption history?

140 Console Update

Tectonic

Tectonic

Tectonic

Tectonic

Ash cloud

UK

The Netherlands

France

Norway

Can you summarise the current situation?

140 Console Update

Tectonic

The last eruption in the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, in 1821, caused serious

flooding as the ice melted.

Tectonic

(Eyjafjallajökull: pronounced eye-a-fyat-la-yo-kutl)

Tectonic

Tectonic

How does the eruption affect local people?

140 Console Update

Tectonic

The interaction of magma with water created a plume of

volcanic ash and gas over 10 km high.

Tectonic

Meteorology

Currently, high pressure over the North Atlantic

is directing the ash cloud towards the United Kingdom.

Meteorology

Meteorology

North-westerly winds spread the plume of ash

over North-Western Europe.

Meteorology

What do airlines need to know about the volcanic ash cloud?

140 Console Update

Health

Health officials have told those with

conditions such as asthma to stay indoors.

Health

Health

The Health Protection Agency said the ash

particles can cause itchy eyes, a runny nose, sore throat or dry

mouth.

Health

What health risks are there from the

volcanic ash?

140 Console Update

Air Traffic

Air Traffic

Air Traffic

In the past 10 years, more than 90 aircraft have suffered damage

from volcanic ash, according to the International Civil Aviation Authority.

Air Traffic

Air Traffic

Air Traffic

Should aircraftbe flying?

140 Console Update

Meteorology

The Met Office have computer programs that they can use to predict how the ash cloud will spread.

Meteorology

Air Traffic

Only a very small amount of ash is

required to present a danger: less than 1 milligram per cubic

metre

Air Traffic

Tectonic

Meltwater floods (known as jökulhlaup) are rushing down the

nearby rivers, and have caused 800 people to

be evacuated.

Tectonic

Tectonic

Tectonic

Air Traffic

No flights could mean a a shortage of goods such as asparagus,

grapes, green onions, lettuce, pre-packed

fruit, salad and flowers.

Air Traffic

Air Traffic

Fruit is pre-sliced in African facilities and flown in. This means

that even if companies could organise other

workers, the fruit isn’t even in the right

country.

Air Traffic

Air Traffic

US president Barack Obama has also had to cancel plans to fly to

Poland for the funeral of Polish president Lech

Kaczyński.

Air Traffic

Air Traffic

The International Air Transport Association said that altogether, European airlines were losing £130

million a day.

Air Traffic

What are some effects of cancelled air travel?

140 Console Update

Tectonic

Almost all the 600 Icelandic people who

were moved from their homes early on Sunday

morning have been allowed to return.

Tectonic

Tectonic

Inhabitants of 14 farms were still

ordered to stay away.Tectonic

Health

Dangerous toxic fumes are in the air in the

immediate surroundings of the volcanic crater,

which can cause permanent damage to the lungs if inhaled.

Health

How is the volcano affecting local people?

140 Console Update

Tectonic

Ingi Thor Jakobsson, manager of the Hotel Rangá

located near the Eyjafjallajökull glacier:

“I hope the eruption continues for a while

because it is very good for business”

Tectonic

(Eyjafjallajökull: pronounced eye-a-fyat-la-yo-kutl)

Tectonic

Ingi Thor Jakobsson, manager of the Hotel Rangá:

“There aren't a lot of four star restaurants that can offer dinner

and a view of a volcanic eruption”

Tectonic

Tectonic

Ingi Thor Jakobsson, manager of the Hotel Rangá:“The hotel has begun

offering helicopter rides over the volcano.”

Tectonic

Tectonic

According to Adolf Arnason, a police

officer at Hvolsvöllur (the closest police

station to the eruption), the area has seen a sharp increase in visitors this week.

Tectonic

Meteorology

Most of the country remains unaffected by falling ash but south of the volcano, visibility has been reduced to

almost zero. Conditions are described as

‘extremely unpleasant’.

Meteorology

Are there any benefits from the eruption?

140 Console Update

Air Traffic

The event is described as "a major business

and economic disaster" particularly with several

European airlines already facing financial

difficulties.

Air Traffic

Meteorology

The Icelandic Meteorological Office

says that the light winds prevailing in Europe and

large amounts of unmelted glacial ice above the volcano

means the situation is unlikely to change over

the next few days.

Meteorology

Meteorology

European Aviation Industry350,000 tons of CO2 per day

Eyjafjallajökull150,000 tons of CO2

produced per day

200,000 tons of CO2 saved by 60% cancelled flights across Europe

CO2 Emissions

Meteorology

What is the environmental impact of the

eruption?

140 Console Update

Health

Most families with children who are living in the fallout zone have chosen to leave. Those that remain are mostly

farmers with livestock to look after.

Health

Air Traffic

Air Traffic

The ash cloud is expected to spread across Europe over the course of several days. There

will be considerable disruption to air traffic.

Air Traffic

Asia-Pacific airlines, including Qantas, Air

China and Thai Airways announce they have been forced to cancel more European flights.

Air Traffic

Your shift is ending.

Summary statement needed before

handover.

140 Console Update

This simulation has been basedon real events and information.

You should now have a better understanding of the consequences

of a volcanic eruption.

You should also understand more aboutwhat Geographers actually do.