Volcanoes
Main Topics | Standards | Science Probe | Lessons | Resources
- Main Topics & Concepts
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Hazards associated with volcanoes.
Risk to humans from volcanic activity.
Volcano monitoring and risk mitigation. - Standards
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SFUSD Performance Standard 17.4 - "...They
should recognize that major earth processes such as...volcanic
eruptions, and other natural disasters are associated with plate boundaries...."
- Science Probe Text
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Science Probe I Chapter 11, Section 11.2 contains sections about the different
types of volcanoes that exist, the types of igneous rock and brief discussions
of global volcano distribution and of predicting volcanic eruptions.
Activity Access Description Science Probe I: Activity 11D
When Will Vesuvius Erupt Again?
Students create a timeline of eruptions in order to predict the future behavior of Mt. Vesuvius. - Activities & Lessons
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Activity Access Description Vacation Excitement! Evacuation Simulation Volcano World
Students are presented with a volcano eruption scenario that requires them to evaluate risks and work in groups to create an evacuation plan. Monitoring Volcanoes Volcano World
Students first use the Internet to learn about volcano monitoring and then participate in two activities to reinforce their understanding. The first involves measuring "dome growth" using a balloon to simulate an expanding dome, and the second involves measuring expansion on a time-lapse video of an actual volcano. These measurements are used to make predictions about the time and directivity of an eruption. Volcano Hazards Volcano World
Using salt to simulate ash and water to simulate mud, students learn how mudflows and ashfall are influenced by wind and topography. Data from historical eruptions are provided as a basis for comparison and also to allow students to create hazard maps. - Resources
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Activity Access Description Volcano Hazard Program USGS
Links to information on monitoring, emergency planning, eruption warning, and U.S. volcanoes. Also contains a FAQ page and a page for teachers. Eruption Effects USGS
Diagrams and images of eruptions and their effects, including gas release, lahars, landslides, and flows. There are also links to case-study eruptions that include pictures and descriptions of activity from volcanoes around the world. Global Volcanism Program Smithsonian Institution
Entry into the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program. Comprehensive source for volcanoes around the world, including information on current eruptions and links to other volcano-related resources. Volcano World North Dakota University System
Volcano World is another comprehensive source of volcano information, targeted at students. Volcanoes USGS General Interest Publications
An introduction to volcanoes; covers volcano types, structures, eruptions, submarine volcanoes, geothermal phenomena, plate-tectonics theory, monitoring and research, extraterrestrial volcanism, and human interaction with volcanoes.