Introduction

What Is A Volcano?

A Volcano is most commonly a conical hill or mountain built around a vent that connects with reservoirs of molten rock below the surface of the Earth. The term volcano also refers to the opening or vent through which the molten rock and associated gases are expelled.  

There are several different types of volcanoes, each having its own distinct properties.  Some are mild-mannered and constructive while others are furious, explosive and destructive.

The Task

Research why and where volcanoes occur.

Find out how many different types of volcanoes there are.  What are the distinct properties of each type?.  Research their physical properties, history, and potential for future eruptions.

  Resources

Why Do Volcanoes Occur?

Here inThe Earth's mantle temperatures are hot enough to melt rock and form a thick, flowing substance called magma. Lighter than the solid rock that surrounds it, magma is buoyant much like a cork in water; being buoyant, it rises.

As the magma rises, some of it collects in large reservoirs, or magma chambers that fuel volcanoes. As the rising magma nears the Earth's surface, pressure decreases, which causes the gases in the magma to expand. This expansion propels the magma through openings in the Earth's surface: a volcanic eruption occurs. Once magma is erupted, it is called lava.

Where Do Volcanoes Occur?

                The Earth's outermost shell -- the lithosphere -- is broken into a series of slabs known as lithospheric or tectonic plates. These plates are rigid, but they float on the hotter, softer layer in the Earth's mantle. There are 16 major plates. As the plates move about, they spread apart, collide, or slide past each other. Volcanoes occur most frequently at plate boundaries.

 

Volcano Types

      Volcanic eruptions range from quiet outpourings of lava to violent earth-shaking explosions!   The different type of volcanic eruptions and explosions produce different types of volcanoes.  Each type is named for its structure.

   

 

Visit Cascade Range Photo Archive

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/Images/framework.html

 

 Other US Volcanic Parks and Monuments

http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/Parks/other_parks.html

 

Questions on volcano terminology

http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/group9_new.html

 

The Cascades Adventure – 1999

http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/adventures/cascades/casadv.html

 

VolcanoWorld Virtual Field Trips

http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/kids/vrtrips.html

  Video Clips of Eruptions

http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/movies/USGS/usgs.html

 

The Process

You and your group will then choose one volcano and create a model of that type of volcano.

Find a picture and description of your volcano and create a list of all of the properties of that volcano.

Do any additional tasks given to you by your teacher also.

You may create a 3-D model or a  computer  animation of an eruption of your volcano.

Evaluation

Your volcano model will be evaluated using a rubric made by your teacher.

Conclusion

Volcanoes are considered both a destructive and constructive force of nature. Some are destructive, some are constructive and some are both.

As a concluding activity make a Venn Diagram that compares all the volcanoes in regard to destructive and constructive forces.  

 

 

 

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