Ash generation and distribution from the April-May 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland

• DOI: 10.1038/srep00572
• Publication Date: 2012-08-14T09:06:42Z
• Authors: Magnús T. Gudmund...; Thorvaldur Thorda...; Ármann Höskuldsson; Gudrún Larsen; Halldór Björnsson; Fred J. Prata; Björn Oddsson; Eyjólfur Magnússon; Thórdís Högnadóttir; Guðrún Nína Petersen; Chris L. Hayward; John A. Stevenson; Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir
• Keywords: Volcanic ash; Dense-rock equivalent; Pumice; Trachyte

The 39-day long eruption at the summit of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in April–May 2010 was modest size but ash widely dispersed. By combining data from ground surveys and remote sensing we show that erupted material 4.8±1.2·1011 kg (benmoreite trachyte, dense rock equivalent volume 0.18±0.05 km3). About 20% lava water-transported tephra, 80% airborne tephra (bulk 0.27 km3) transported by 3–10 km high plumes. mostly fine (diameter <1000 µm). At least 7·1010 (70 Tg) very (<28 µm), several times more than previously estimated via satellite retrievals. 50% fell Iceland with remainder carried towards south east, detected over ~7 million km2 Europe North Atlantic. Of order 1010 (2%) are considered to have been longer 600–700 <108 (<0.02%) reaching mainland Europe.