This document provides information about a station-based volcano education program. The stations cover topics like classifying volcanoes, eruption types, magma composition, and volcanic hazards and benefits. At each station, students fill out worksheets or do activities to learn about parts of volcanoes, what causes eruptions, how silica and water content determine explosivity, different lava and pyroclastic material types, and examples of shield, cinder cone, and composite volcanoes. Math problems calculate totals, differences, distances, times, costs, and rates related to volcanic eruptions, ash and lava flows, and operating robots. The goal is to help students understand volcanoes through hands-on activities at multiple informative stations.

1. Station #1:
• At this station you will:
1. Fill out information on eruptions
2. Draw the various parts of a volcano

2. 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

3. Station #2:
• At this station you will:
1. Describe the different classification of volcanoes
2. Write down examples of volcanoes that are active, dormant,
or extinct
3. Complete a math problem on eruptions

4. 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

5. PROBLEM#1
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?

6. Station #3:
• At this station you will:
1. Describe the VEI scale
2. Discover how volcanoes are described based on the VEI
3. Determine if other planets have volcanoes
4. Research on the computer
5. Complete the math problem on Io

7. 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

8. Volcanoes in GeneralDootherplanetshave
volcanoes?
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.

9. PROBLEM#2
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

10. 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 seamount
3. Complete the math problem on traveling volcanic ash

11. Non-Explosive Eruptions
Non-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.

12. 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.

13. Explosive Eruptions
Explosive 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.

14. 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).

15. PROBLEM#3
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?

16. 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

17. Magma
Where 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

18. ** 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

19. Station #6:
• At this station you will:
1. Describe how water and silica influence magma
2. Discover various lava types
3. Use your textbook or the internet to determine the viscosity
of the various lava types
4. Complete the math problem on Krakatoa and sound

20. 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

21. 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

22. PROBLEM#4
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?

23. Station #7:
• At this station you will:
1. Describe when magma is considered pyroclastic material
2. Describe pyroclastic flows and the dangers
3. Watch a clip from Dante‟s Peak and determine something
realistic and dramatized in the movie

24. 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

25. 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

26. Station #8:
• At this station you will:
1. Describe the benefits of volcanoes
2. 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 **

27. BENEFITS
Volcano Hazards and Benefits
Information about the Earth
Volcanologists 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 crops
Some volcanic soils are rich in minerals that can help grow
rice, vegetables, and fruit crops.
Rock for materials/products
Building 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.

28. PROBLEM#5
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?

29. Station #9:
• At this station you will:
1. Describe the hazards of volcanoes
2. Research an additional hazard or benefit and add it to the
table

30. HAZARDS Volcano Hazards and Benefits
Climate Change
The volcanic ash and gases that spread throughout
the atmosphere can alter the average global
temperature.
Loss of life
Volcanoes have killed more than 225,000 people
during the past 400 years.
Cost of destruction
The cost of destruction by volcanoes is almost
impossible to calculate since the damage caused to
the environment may not be known for years.

31. Station #10:
• At this station you will:
1. Describe characteristics of three volcano types
2. Sketch the volcano types
3. Write an example of each volcano type

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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.

35. Station #11:
• At this station you will:
1. Describe landforms formed from volcanic activity
2. Sketch the various landforms
3. Research an example of each landform using the Internet

36. 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.

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

38. WARM-UP:
• Discuss the difference between lava
and pyroclastic material
• List as many types of lava and
pyroclastic material that you can

39. 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

40. 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

41. Directions:
1. Use the Play-doh to construct the three types of volcanoes
2. Designate one color to be lava and the other to be pyroclastic
material
3. 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 **

42. 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