Volcanoes
Volcanic eruptions, like earthquakes, are manifestations of the release of energy from deep within the earth. They, too, participate in the process of recycling rocks and in altering landforms and ocean floors, and their locations have helped scientists understand plate tectonics and better constrain plate motion.
Students will learn the mechanisms behind volcanic activity in this part of the curriculum. They will learn how volcanoes fit into the "larger picture" by seeing why the distribution of volcanoes is such that it is. Building on their knowledge of large-scale earth processes, they will be asked to make connections between this unit and other sections on "Plate Tectonics", "Earthquakes", and "The Rock Cycle". Students will then go into more detail about the types of volcanoes and the different kinds of eruptions that result, building models along the way to stimulate their interest and to give them a visual reference. Finally, they will examine some of the hazards associated with volcanoes and the ways scientists assess and monitor the risks volcanoes pose to human populations.