Volcanoe Activities

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Traditional Aboriginal Knowledge

Volcanoe Activities


© 2002 American Geological Institute http://www.agiweb.org

Contents: All Activities and Investigations
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:
Activity 1  -- Where are the Volcanoes?
To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites: 1.  Volcanoes Beneath the Sea
2.  Volcanoes on Land 3.  Ring of Fire 4.  Volcanoes Formed by Rifting on the Continents 5.  Volcanoes at Hot Spots 6.  Map Projections
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) 
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    Activity 2  --  Volcanic Landforms
    To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
    1. Topographic Maps 2. Magma Composition 3. Types of Volcanic Landforms
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    Activity 3  --  Volcanic Hazards: Flows
    To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
    1. Lava 2. Pyroclastic Flows 3. Lahar
    To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
    To learn more about how lava flows affect the biosphere, visit the following web sites:
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    Activity 4 -- Volcanic Hazards: Airborne Debris
    To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
    1. Particle Types 2. Distribution and Hazards of Volcanic Ash 3. Volcanic Explosivity Index To complete the investigation, each student group will need:
    To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
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    Activity 5  --  Volcanoes and the Atmosphere
    To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
    1. Volcanic Gases 2. Volcanoes and Climate Change
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    Activity 6  --  Volcanic History of Your Community
    To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
    1. Igneous Rocks 2. Types of Volcanic Rocks
    To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
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    Activity 7  --  Monitoring Active Volcanoes
    To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
    1. Volcano Monitoring 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)
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    Resources:

    Web Sites:
    Maps: Videos: Books: 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). 

  • (http://www.geotimes.org/current/)
  • 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.)