VOLCANOES AND IGNEOUS ROCKS – SCIENCE KS3
OVERVIEW AND CURRICULUM LINKS
This informative workshop uses a 3D revolving globe, where students will gain an overview of global
volcanic activity both on land and underwater. Two short practical activities which are designed to
assist understanding are included. This workshop links to extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks in the
rock cycle.
OBJECTIVES

Understand volcanic eruptions and where they tend to occur, and gain an overview of volcanic
activity across our world

Understand how intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks are formed by cooling molten rock
LEARNING SESSION CONTENT
We start by using the Globe and a presentation to look at what a volcano is and where they occur. The
Globe is a 3D digital revolving globe which shows volcanoes that have been active over the past year
so that the students can gain a global view of the volcanic activity on our planet.
A fun practical activity using vinegar and bicarbonate of soda imitates the build up and release of
pressure in a volcano. Then the most up to date methods of determining when a volcano will erupt are
discussed.
Extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks are explained, using the presentation and a practical activity
showing that pumice floats. The richness of volcanic soil is touched on, as are the uses of igneous rock
and the reason why most of the crust is igneous rock.
Most volcanoes happen under water, where the earth’s crust is thinnest. Using the globe this idea is
explored and the effect of volcanoes on sea life is discussed.
Finally, the relief map of the seabed inside The Deep itself is discussed. This map shows the depth of
the oceans and the difference in thickness of the earth’s crust underwater and on land.