Station #1:• At this station you will:

1. Fill out information on eruptions2. Draw the various parts of a volcano

Volcanoes in General

What is an eruption?

• Volcanic eruptions occur when magma from deep inside the earth pushes up through the mantle and crust.

• Volcanic eruptions release lava, steam, and gases into the atmosphere

Parts of a volcano

Station #2:• At this station you will:

1. Describe the different classification of volcanoes2. Write down examples of volcanoes that are active,

dormant, or extinct3. Complete a math problem on eruptions

Volcanoes in General

Dormant: Has not erupted for some time, but is expected to erupt in the future

Classifying volcanoes

Active: One eruption in the last 10,000 yrs.

Extinct: Has not erupted in the past 10,000 yrs. and is not expected to erupt again

Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

Mount Ararat, Turkey

Morne Diablotins, Dominica

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Some volcanoes erupt on a regular schedule. Scientists believe that Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming sits on top of a supervolcano that first erupted 2 million years ago. They believe that it has erupted every 700,000 years since.

The Eyjafjallajokull volcano in southern Iceland erupted on March 20,2010. This was the same day it erupted 200 years earlier.

If a volcano erupted in the year 1055 for the first time and has erupted every 225 years since, how may times has it erupted since 1055? What was the most recent year it erupted? When is the next eruption due if it continues to erupt on schedule?

Station #3:• At this station you will:

1. Describe the VEI scale2. Discover how volcanoes are described based on the VEI 3. Determine if other planets have volcanoes4. Research on the computer5. Complete the math problem on Io

Volcanoes in General

Plotting the Power?

The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) scale is used to plot the power of a volcano.

VEI = 0

Nonexplosive underwater volcanoes called seamounts score a “0” on the VEI scale

Loihi Seamount pictured above.

VEI = 8

Volcanoes that score an “8” on the VEI scale are referred to as supervolcanoes

Ash/debris cover from Yellowstone

Volcanoes in GeneralD

o o

ther

pla

nets

have

volc

an

oes?

Venus

Mercury

Mars

Venus is covered in volcanoes that are

potentially still active!

Craters caused by volcanic eruptions also cover the

surface of Mercury and are believed to be extinct.

Volcanoes on Mars are 10 to 100 times larger than those on

Earth. Olympus Mons is the largest in the solar system.

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Jupiter’s moon Io is home to all types of volcanic activity. Scientists have observed eruptive centers, which are locations of major volcanic activity, as well as depressions in the ground called paterae. Io also has many lava flows. The following chart is a list of seven lava flows on Io. Use the chart to answer the questions below.a. What is the total length of the lava flows?b. What is the difference between the longest

lava flows and the shortest?

Name of lava flow Length of lava flow (Km)

Acala 411

Donar 222

Euboea 105

Fjorgynn 414

Lei-Kung 386

Masubi 501

Sobo 58

Station #4:• At this station you will:

1. Differentiate between explosive and non-explosive eruptions by filling out the chart

2. Research an example of a seamount3. Complete the math problem on traveling volcanic ash

Non-Explosive EruptionsNon-explosive eruptions are the most common type of eruption.

* Sometimes, non-explosive volcanoes spray lava into the air. This is known as a lava fountain.

* Typically, these eruptions produce relatively calm lava flows.

Non-Explosive Eruptions

Non-explosive Eruptions

• The Northwest region of the United States and the sea floor is covered from lava of non-explosive eruptions

• Seamounts account for more than 20% of the Earth’s volcanoes

Estimated locations of seamounts throughout the

Earth’s oceans.

Explosive EruptionsExplosive eruptions are rare compared to non-explosive eruptions.

• Clouds of hot debris, ash, and gas rapidly shoot out of the volcano

• Effects of explosive eruptions can be incredibly destructive

• Can demolish an entire mountainside

Example: Mount St. Helens before and after split picture.

Explosive Eruptions

Explosive Eruptions

• Causes molten rock to be blown into tiny particles that harden in the air

• Dust-sized particles called ash can reach the upper atmosphere and circle the Earth for years

Volcanic eruptions in Iceland show how the cloud of ash looks from satellite

imagery (above) and how it can travel (below).

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A new volcano erupted for the first time on June 4, 2011 in Chile. Ash from the volcano reached the Australian island of Tasmania on June 13. If Tasmania and Chile are about 6,000 miles apart, how many miles did the ash cloud travel each day?

Station #5:• At this station you will:

1. Sketch different parts of the volcano that are involved in magma storage and eruptions

2. Determine what components of magma influence the level of explosivity

3. Research on ‘Volcano Explorer’ how viscosity and gas concentration influence the eruption - http://kids.discovery.com/games/build-play/volcano-explorer

MagmaWhere is magma located?

• Magma is stored in a deep underground section of the Earth that feeds the volcano known as the magma chamber

• Magma rises from the magma chamber through cracks in the Earth’s crust known as vents

• Magma is released from the vents during an eruption

** The key to explosive eruptions lies in the silica, water, and gas content of the magma**

What makes up magma?

The composition of magma determines whether or not an eruption is explosive.

Magma

Highly Explosive =

High levels of water, silica, or gas

Station #6:• At this station you will:

1. Describe how water and silica influence magma2. Discover various lava types3. Use your textbook or the internet to determine the

viscosity of the various lava types4. Complete the math problem on Krakatoa and sound

Magma

High Water Content High Silica Content

• Water that is dissolved in magma quickly turns to gas and expands during an eruption

• The rapid change causes an explosion

* Similar to shaking a can of soda and then opening*

• Silica-rich magma is extremely stiff and flows slowly

• The magma hardens in the vents and causes pressure to build up

• The build up of pressure, gas, and magma causes an explosion

There are several types of lava:

Aa(Brittle crust)

Pahoehoe(Rounded wrinkles)

Pillow lava(Underwater formation, rounded lumps)

Blocky lava(Sharp-edged chunks)

Magma will be considered lava if it is liquid and flowing from the volcanic vent.

** Non-explosive eruptions produce mostly lava **

Magma and Lava

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The speed of sound is a measure of how fast sound waves travel. Sound waves travel at different speeds through air or through liquid. If the sound of Krakatoa volcano traveled through the air at 720 miles an hour; how far did it travel in 1 minute? How far did the sound travel in 2.8 hours?

Station #7:• At this station you will:

1. Describe when magma is considered pyroclastic material2. Describe pyroclastic flows and the dangers3. Watch a clip from Dante’s Peak and determine

something realistic and dramatized in the movie

Four types of pyroclastic material:

Volcanic Bombs(Large magma blobs)

Volcanic Blocks(Large pieces of solid rock)

Lapilli(“Little rocks”)

Volcanic ash(Majority of material

caused by rapid expansion of gas)

Magma will be considered pyroclastic material if it is blasted into the air and hardens.

** Explosive eruptions produce mostly pyroclastic material **

Magma and Pyroclastic Material

Pyroclastic flows are produced when enormous amounts of hot ash, dust, and gases are ejected from a volcano.Pyroclastic

flow is particularly dangerous because it can travel faster than hurricane force winds!

Pyroclastic Flow

Above: Pyroclastic flow of the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines

Station #8:• At this station you will:

1. Describe the benefits of volcanoes2. Complete the math problem on researching volcanoes

** You will only have benefits filled out on the table by the end of this station, hazards are at station #9 **

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Volcano Hazards and BenefitsInformation about the EarthVolcanologists and other scientists can gain information about the Earth’s interior.

Geothermal heat The underground heat can be harnessed to heat water and to power cities.

Rich soil to grow cropsSome volcanic soils are rich in minerals that can help grow rice, vegetables, and fruit crops.

Rock for materials/productsBuilding materials such as cement and concrete blocks can be made from rocks such as pumice. It is also used to make cleaners, soaps, and cosmetics.

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Robots have been used to work in areas such as Mount Erebus in Antarctica, the southernmost active volcano on earth. Suppose it costs $3.14 million to operate one robot for one year in Antarctica. It costs $3.14 million for two volcanologists including their equipment to do the same job. The cost of their equipment is $2.12 million . How much does it cost for one volcanologist to work for a year in Antarctica, not including equipment?

Station #9:• At this station you will:

1. Describe the hazards of volcanoes2. Research an additional hazard or benefit and add it to

the table

HA

ZA

RD

SVolcano Hazards and Benefits

Climate ChangeThe volcanic ash and gases that spread throughout the atmosphere can alter the average global temperature.

Loss of lifeVolcanoes have killed more than 225,000 people during the past 400 years.

Cost of destructionThe cost of destruction by volcanoes is almost impossible to calculate since the damage caused to the environment may not be known for years.

Station #10:• At this station you will:

1. Describe characteristics of three volcano types2. Sketch the volcano types3. Write an example of each volcano type

Shield Volcanoes:

Shield volcanoes are built of layers of lava from non-explosive eruptions.

Types of Volcanoes

• Runny lava• Spreads over a wide area• Gently sloping sides

Mauna Kea in Hawaii is the tallest mountain on Earth

Cinder Cone Volcanoes:

Made from pyroclastic material produced from moderately explosive eruptions.

Types of Volcanoes

• Typically occur in clusters• Small• Erupt for a short time• Steep slopes

Paricutin erupted for only nine years

Composite Volcanoes:

Form from explosive eruptions of pyroclastic material followed by quieter lava flows.

Types of Volcanoes

• Referred to as “Stratovolcanoes”

• Most common type of volcano• Alternating layers of pyroclastic

material and lava• Broad bases and sides• Steeper towards the top

There are several stratovolcanoes along the western portion of the U.S. including Mount Hood pictured above.

Station #11:• At this station you will:

1. Describe landforms formed from volcanic activity2. Sketch the various landforms3. Research an example of each landform using the

Internet

Volcanic activity may produce other landforms:

Other Volcanic Landforms

• Craters A funnel-shaped pit around the central vent at the top

of the volcano.

• Calderas A large, semicircular depression that forms when the

magma chamber’s roof collapses.

• Lava Plateaus A flat landform that results from the spreading of lava over larger areas.

End of stations• Below are warm-ups used the two days following the stations.

WARM-UP:

• Discuss the difference between lava and pyroclastic material• List as many types of lava and pyroclastic material that you can

There are several types of lava:

Aa(Brittle crust)

Pahoehoe(Rounded wrinkles)

Pillow lava(Underwater formation, rounded lumps)

Blocky lava(Sharp-edged chunks)

Magma will be considered lava if it is liquid and flowing from the volcanic vent.

** Non-explosive eruptions produce mostly lava **

Magma and Lava

Four types of pyroclastic material:

Volcanic Bombs(Large magma blobs)

Volcanic Blocks(Large pieces of solid rock)

Lapilli(“Little rocks”)

Volcanic ash(Majority of material

caused by rapid expansion of gas)

Magma will be considered pyroclastic material if it is blasted into the air and hardens.

** Explosive eruptions produce mostly pyroclastic material **

Magma and Pyroclastic Material

Directions:

1. Use the Play-doh to construct the three types of volcanoes2. Designate one color to be lava and the other to be

pyroclastic material3. Construct the volcano and then sketch your drawing on

your paper

-- Please keep the play-doh in separate colors!

** Underneath your drawing list the types of eruptions that must occur for those volcano types to form **

Shield Volcano

• Made of runny lava• Large areas covered• Gently sloping dome• Largest (by area covered) and flattest

• Loosely arranged• Usually are in clusters• Not very high• Made of cinders, bombs, ash, dust• Smallest and steepest type of volcano

Cinder Cone Volcano

Composite Volcano

• Made of alternate layers of cinders and lava

• Tallest of all volcano types (medium-sized base)

• Broad bases and sides• Steeper towards the top