volcano...activities

Contents: All Activities and Investigations

Volcanoe Activities
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 3
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6
Activity 7
Students are challenged to develop a screenplay or story, set within the community, which would help audiences understand volcanoes, volcanic hazards, and how volcanoes fit into the Earth system.

Students will:

Understand how and why volcanoes are part of Earth systems.
Participate in scientific inquiry and construct logical conclusions based on evidence.
Recognize the hazards and benefits of volcanic activity.
Appreciate the value of Earth science information in saving lives and preventing or reducing damage to communities.

Activity 1 -- Where are the Volcanoes?

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
1. Volcanoes Beneath the Sea

Volcano World - "Submarine Volcanoes"

Reviews the basics of plate tectonics and examines closely submarine volcanoes at divergent and convergent boundaries and hot spots. The site has good images of underwater lava flows as well as images of the organisms that live near these submarine volcanoes.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/Submarine/)
USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory - "Submarine Volcanoes, Ridges, and Vents"

Site includes a general overview of submarine volcanic eruptions as well as information about specific underwater volcanoes including the volcanoes of the Juan de Fuca ridge in the Pacific, Kavachi of the Solomon Islands, Kick 'Em Jenny of the West Indies, the Loihi Seamount of Hawaii, and Surtsey and the Vestmannmaeyjar volcanics of Iceland.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/SubmarineVolcano/framework.html)

2. Volcanoes on Land

USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory - "Volcano Types - Quick Reference Guide"

Review the major types of volcanoes, including calderas, cinder cones, composite volcanoes, statrovolcanoes, and shield volcanoes. Provides links for further details and information about specific eruptions.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/VolcanoTypes/volcano_types_quick_reference.html)
USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory - Read about volcanism in the following US states:

New Mexico (http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/NewMexico/framework.html)

Idaho (http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Idaho/CratersMoon/framework.html)

Wyoming (http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Yellowstone/framework.html)

Oregon (http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Vhp/C1073/active_volcanoes_oregon.html)

3. Ring of Fire

USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory - "Plate Tectonics and Sea Floor Spreading, Subduction Zones, "Hot Spot", and the "Ring of Fire""

Reviews the basics of plate tectonics and allows reader to further investigate specific volcanoes within the "ring of fire". Includes several maps which highlight the "ring."
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/PlateTectonics/framework.html)
USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory

Read an introduction about the volcanoes and volcanic fields of Alaska, which make up the northern portion of the "ring of fire". Also includes maps and allows further investigation of specific volcanoes in Alaska.
(http://www.avo.alaska.edu/)
4. Volcanoes Formed by Rifting on the Continents

Columbia Plateau - Columbia River Basalt Group

Read more information about flood basalt and how they formed the Columbia Plateau. It also includes links to a map and geologic time scale for the subdivisions within the Columbia River Basalt Group.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/PacificNW/AGU-T106/columbia_river_basalt_group.html)
Mount Kilimanjaro

Learn more about Africa's tallest mountain in the East African rift valley.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/img_kilimanjaro.html)
5. Volcanoes at Hot Spots

USGS - "Hot spots:" Mantle Thermal Plumes

Learn more about the geology of the Hawaiian islands as well as other other hotshots around the world.
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/hotspots.html)
USGS Hawaii Volcano Observatory

Read about the Hawaiian Volcanoes and how they formed. It also includes links to other pages about specific volcanoes on the islands of Hawaii and Maui.
(http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanoes/)
Volcano World - Hot Spots and Mantle Plumes

View a slide show with color photos and descriptions about the theory of "hotshots." Site also includes a list of sample lesson plans, key concepts, references, and activities about hot spots and the Hawaiian islands.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/hot_spots/introduction.html)
6. Map Projections

Learn more about other kinds of map projections

Cylindrical Projections (http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/mp/cylind.html)

Conic Projections (http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/mp/conic.htm)

To complete the investigation, each student group will need:

US Geological Survey map: This Dynamic Planet

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

To learn more about historical eruptions nearest to your community, visit the following web site:

Volcano World's list of historically active volcanoes

(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/current_volcs/current.html)

Activity 2 -- Volcanic Landforms
To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

1. Topographic Maps

USGS Teacher's Lessons - What do Maps Show?

Site provides a list of key points to convey when teaching about topographic maps. The sample lesson plan is aimed for students in grades 5-8 but may be helpful for students grade 9-12 as well.
(http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/teachers/mapsshow.htm)
USGS - Topographic Map Symbols

Read more about topographic maps, view and learn what what different symbols mean, and find out how to purchase them.
(http://mapping.usgs.gov/mac/isb/pubs/booklets/symbols/)
2. Magma Composition

Composition of Magma

Find out more about how the chemical composition of magma varies in igneous rocks. The discussion is not limited to just extrusive rocks, but includes intrusive rocks as well.
(http://www.stmarys.ca/academic/science/geology/earth/pubigneous/composition.html)
3. Types of Volcanic Landforms

Volcano World - Volcanic Landforms

View a slide show of different volcanic landforms with color photos and descriptions of each landform. Site also includes a list of references and activities about volcanic landforms.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/landforms/introduction.html)
Volcano World - Types of Volcanoes

An index page with links to short descriptions about different volcanic landforms. Descriptions do not include images.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/volcano_types/index.html)
USGS - Principal Types of Volcanoes

Read a more detailed description of the principal types of volcanoes. Text does include pictures for each example (but are all in black and white).
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/types.html)

To build scale models of a Cascade volcano and your community, students will need:

Topographic map of a Cascade volcano
Topographic map of your community
Tracing paper
Scissors
Glue

Activity 3 -- Volcanic Hazards: Flows

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
1. Lava

Volcano World - Lava

View a slide show of different forms of lava with color photos and descriptions of each type. Site also includes a list of references and activities about lava.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lava/introduction.html)
Magma, Lava, Lava Flows, etc.

Learn more background information about lava and the hazards associated with lava flows.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/LavaFlows/description_lava_flows.html)
Types of Lava: Teacher Pages for Exploring the Environment - Volcanoes

In addition to a general overview, the description focuses on how silica and water content varies in different types of lava.
(http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/volcanoes/vtypeslava1.html)

2. Pyroclastic Flows

Pyroclastic Flows and Pyroclastic Surges

Read about how pyroclastic flows and surges form, how those two are different, and the hazards they pose to people.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/PyroFlows/description_pyro_flows.html)
Pyroclastic Flows - Volcano Information Center

A similar type of overview of pyroclastic flows. However, site also includes a discussion about how geologists discovered pyroclastic flows as well as a list of journal and book references about pyroclastic flows.
(http://magic.geol.ucsb.edu/~fisher/pfs.htm)
3. Lahar

Mudflows, Debris Flows, and Lahars

Site gives a detailed introduction to lahars, describing what initiates a lahar flow, what is the composition of a lahar flow, and cites several historic examples of lahar flows associated with volcanic eruptions.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/Lahars/description_lahars.html)
Lahars - Volcano Information Center

Read another good overview of lahars along with a list of journal references to investigate further.
(http://magic.geol.ucsb.edu/~fisher/lahar.htm)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory

To learn more about how lava flows affect the biosphere, visit the following web sites:

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/) has information about Hawaiian volcanoes
Volcano World(http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/)
NOAA - VENTS Program (http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/vents/) has information about black smokers and activity along mid-ocean ridges
RIDGE Program (http://ridge.oce.orst.edu/) has information about activity along mid-ocean ridges and links to further information.

Activity 4 -- Volcanic Hazards: Airborne Debris
To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

1. Particle Types

Volcano World - Tephra

View a slide show with color photos and descriptions about tephra Site also includes a sample lesson plan, outline of key concepts, references, and activities about tephra.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/tephra.html)
Ash, Tephra, Pumice, Scoria, etc. - USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory

Read a series of fact sheets to investigate further different types of volcanic particles. See a picture of a bear foot-print in volcanic ash.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Glossary/Tephra/description_tephra.html)
2. Distribution and Hazards of Volcanic Ash

Volcanic Air Pollution - A Hazard in Hawaii

Hawaii serves as a good case study to demonstrate how the hazard of volcanic particles can spread over a wide range.
(http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/fact-sheet/fs169-97/)
Volcanic Ash - Danger to Aircraft in the Northern Pacific

In 1989-1990, a series of eruptions of Redoubt Volcano in Alaska threatened airplane traffic throughout northern North America. Site includes several examples of the dangers volcanic eruptions can have on airplanes, even if the airplane is hundreds or thousands of miles from the volcano.
(http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/fact-sheet/fs030-97/)
3. Volcanic Explosivity Index

The Volcanic Explosivity Index

Learn more about the classification system volcanologists use to study volcanic eruptions.
(http://hpccsun.unl.edu/nebraska/VEI.html)
To complete the investigation, each student group will need:

Internet access:

To simulate the eruption of one of the three volcanoes, go to the Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport and Dispersion (http://www.arl.noaa.gov/ready/vaftadmenu.html) web site and click on "Run VAFTAD Model."

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

3" plastic funnel
sand mixed with baby powder
clear vinyl tubing
bicycle pump
fan or hairdryer

Volcano World

Activity 5 -- Volcanoes and the Atmosphere
To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

1. Volcanic Gases

Volcano World - Volcanic Gases

Site includes many different mini fact sheets about volcanic gases organized by topic. It is also provides a sample quiz, references, and other web links about volcanic gases.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/Gases/index.html)
Effects of Volcanic Gases - Volcano Information Center

Lists the effects of different volcanic gases on the environment and animals.
(http://magic.geol.ucsb.edu/~fisher/gas.htm)
Volcano Hazards Fact Sheet - USGS Volcanic Gases

Discusses why volcanic gases are important to study, how geologists study volcanic gases, and what they have learned.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Projects/Emissions/vgas_fsheet.html)
2. Volcanoes and Climate Change

Volcanoes and Climate Change

This article from NASA's Distributed Active Archive Center details the effects that large scale eruptions, such as the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, can have on the long-term global climate.
(http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/Volcano/index.html)

To learn more about monitoring the Cascade volcanoes, visit the following web site:

USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory (http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/).

Activity 6 -- Volcanic History of Your Community
To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

1. Igneous Rocks

Igneous Rocks Lesson - Volcano World

(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Igrocks/Igrocks1.html)
View a slide show about igneous rocks. The lesson is part of a series of lessons called "Rocks and Minerals." To see the complete outline of the lesson go to:
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/lesson.html)
2. Types of Volcanic Rocks

Volcanic Rocks - Volcano World

Learn about and see pictures of different volcanic rocks.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/volcanic_rocks.html)
Microtextures of Volcanic Rocks - University of North Carolina

Look through a microscope at some thin sections of volcanic rocks.
(http://www.geolab.unc.edu/Petunia/IgMetAtlas/volcanic-micro/volcanicmicro.html)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

Geothermal Education Office (http://geothermal.marin.org/)
Volcano World (http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/sitemap.html).

To simulate gases in igneous rock, students will need:

bread dough (acquired from the store or homemade)

Activity 7 -- Monitoring Active Volcanoes
To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:

1. Volcano Monitoring

Volcano Monitoring Techniques - Volcano Hazards Program (USGS)

Site includes links to the volcano monitoring stations in the US.
(http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/About/What/Monitor/monitor.html)
To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
Video: Perilous Beauty, The Hidden Dangers of Mount Rainier, US Geological Survey (call 1-800-436-3282)

Resources:

Web Sites:

Volcano World

NOAA, National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), Volcano data at NGDC http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/hazard/volcano.shtml
The Smithsonian Institution - Global Volcanism Program homepage

United States Geological Survey (USGS) homepage

USGS Volcano Hazards Program

USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory

USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

USGS Long Valley Observatory

Michigan Technological University Volcanoes page

Mount St. Helens Seismicity Information page

Volcano Systems Center (VSC) - University of Washington

Hawaii Center for Volcanology
http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/hcv.html
The Electronic Volcano

The Nordic Volcanological Institute (NVI)

Montreal Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre

Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport & Dispersion

The Natural Hazards Mitigation Group

The Volcanological Society of Japan

Volcano Research Center

U.S. Global Change Research Info. Office

Maps:

This Dynamic Planet Map is available online (http://pubs.usgs.gov/pdf/planet.html)

Click on title ("This Dynamic Map") to download a copy of the map as a PDF file. Note that you will need Adobe Acrobat (available for free on the USGSS site) to open this file.
The map can also be purchased for $7 (plus $5 s/h) from:

Geologic maps: State and local:

The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database contains information on how and where to obtain geologic maps. (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/)
Your state Geological Survey - find your state survey on-line at Association of American State Geologists (http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/AASG/AASG.html).
Download state geologic maps at About.com's site. (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/cs/geomapsusstates/)
Reading Geologic Maps - informative review on how to read and interpret geologic maps. (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/library/weekly/aa100800a.htm)

Geologic maps: Regional (two or more states):

The on-line bookstore of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (http://bookstore.AAPG.org; 918-584-2555)

Topographic maps: Local

The United States Geological Survey MapFinder allows you to order 7.5 minute maps online for $4 per map plus $5 s/h per order. (http://edc.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/finder_main.pl?dataset_name=MAPS_LARGE)
The United States Geological Survey maintains a list of Map Dealers. Click on your state to obtain a list of retailers who sell maps. (http://mapping.usgs.gov/esic/map_dealers/)
The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database site on How to find topographic maps (http://ngmsvr.wr.usgs.gov/Other_Resources/rdb_topo.html)
TopoZone site allows you to download topographic maps (including USGS maps) for free, at various scales (from 1:100,000 to 1:24,000). (http://www.topozone.com/)
MapServer offers free online viewing of topo, nautical and aeronautical charts plus high altitude digital ortho quads (nav photos). (www.maptech.com and www.mapserver.maptech.com)

General Map Resources:

An excellent list of map resources available online can be found on the Central Michigan University Resources for Earth Science and Geography Instruction web site. Included are links to sites to make maps, as well as links to free downloadable outline maps, satellite imagery, GPS, and GIS databases. (http://personal.cmich.edu/~franc1m/locamap.htm)
"Maps" - USGS Earth Science Information Center, includes general map information, from how to read maps to how to obtain them. Also includes links to further information regarding topographic, thematic, planetary maps, and more. (http://ask.usgs.gov/maps.html)
National Geographic (maps and videos): 1-800-962-1643 (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/index.html)
"Maps of the United States" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of depictions of the United States, along with information on how to obtain additional US maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-us/index.html)
"Maps of the World" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of world maps, including outline maps, seismicity maps, and political maps. Also contains information for ordering more specific world maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-world/maps-world.html)
"National Atlas Maps" - USGS site of a variety of US maps that are available online, including shaded relief maps, aquifer maps, and further information on how to order maps not available online. (http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/atlasmap.html?)

Videos:

For Activities 2, 3, 4, or 7:

Perilous Beauty, The Hidden Dangers of Mount Rainier, US Geological Survey (call 1-800-436-3282)
Understanding Volcanic Hazards, UNESCO. Available from:

US Geological Survey

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/

Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center

National Geographic: Born of Fire
National Geographic: In the Shadow of Vesuvius
NOVA (WGBH Boston): Volcano!
Encyclopedia Britannica: When the Earth Explodes (22min. Kilauea and St. Helens (1-800-554-9862)

Books:

Volcanoes of North America, Charles A. Wood and Jurgen Kienle, 1990, New York: Cambridge University Press, 354 p.
Volcanoes, by Neil Morris, 1995, New York: Crabtree Publishing, Inc., 32 pages, color illustrations.
Volcano Weather: the Story of 1816, the Year without a Summer, by Henry Stommel, 1983, Seven Seas Press.

Magazines:

Geotimes. Published by the American Geological Institute, this magazine reviews current issues in the Earth Sciences and can serve as a valuable supplemental resource for teachers and students alike. Visit the web site for online articles and information about obtaining a one-year subscription (40% discount for AGI Member Society members; 65% discount for students).

Excellent sources of high-school level articles are in both National Geographic (which often has maps), and Science News (describing the most recent and interesting events in scientific research.)