Activity One - Classification

A volcano can be defined as a 'rupture' in the Earth's crust. When a volcano erupts it can spew lava, ash and gases from the magma chamber which is found deep in the Earth's interior. Volcanoes can be found on convergent and divergent plate margins as well as in areas called hot spots. Hot spots are areas in the mantle where hot material (magma) is rising closer to the surface of the crust. The pressure is lower further away from the core and this causes the rocks to melt creating magma which then rises through the crust. Hawaii, USA, is the famous island chain created by hot spot volcanoes. Fortunately most of our volcanoes can be found underwater where they can help to create new land and support life around their hot vents. They can cause harm to humans if tsunamis (wall of water) are formed but generally a lot less than those volcanoes that erupt on land. There are three main types of volcanoes; cinder cone, composite and shield. Their shapes and sizes depend on the viscosity (thickness of the magma and ability to flow), composition of the magma (what it is made of), the type of plate boundary it is situated on and the eruption style (explosive or oozy). Answer the questions below using the link in the 'Useful Resource' box.

1. Using Figure 1, describe where the most volcanically active area of the world is.

2. What is magma called when it reaches the surface of the Earth?

3. What is a volcanic bomb?

4. What is volcanic ash?

5. What three things can a volcanic eruption lead to?

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Activity Two - Volcano Classification

We are now going to look at the specific types of volcanoes so that you will be able to identify what Mount Vesuvius is. Answer the following questions using the information in the 'Useful Resources' box:

1. Describe what a composite (strato) volcano is.

2. Describe what a shield volcano is.

3. Describe what a dome volcano is.

4. What is meant by the terms; dormant, extint and active in relation to a volcanic eruption?

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Activity Three - Plinian Eruption

While there are three main types of volcanic eruptions they can be divided even further. A Plinian eruption is a composite volcanic eruption but is the largest. It got its name after Pliny the Younger wrote an account of Mount Vesuvius erupting in 79AD. In fact his is the eye witness account to have survived the disaster. Using either of the two resources answer the following questions:

1. What is a Plinian eruption?

2. What do the eruptions begin with?

3. Why may a Plinian eruption create a caldera?

4. Collect a copy of the diagram below, label it and then stick it into your book.

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Activity Three - The Guide - Part One

You are now ready to create the first part of your guide. Click on the blue button to take you to the guidance of how to complete this first section. 

Activity Four - Possibilities and Challenges

You will hear my say the words possibilities and challenges a lot when investigating volcanoes as no one wants to get caught in an eruption but yet people still live next to them, why? Lets have a look at why humans think that volcanoes are valuable resources. To do this, collect a copy of the worksheet below and stick it into your book.

1. Organise the opportunities and challenges in the table under the headers by using the numbers. 

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