Module 1, Investigation 2: How Volcanoes Work Introduction
Welcome!
Are all volcanoes the same? Are all volcanoes dangerous? How can we tell?
To answer these questions, you will travel to three different types of volcanoes. At each stop,
you will see an animation showing how that type of volcano developed. You will measure the
volcano's slope. Then you can explore a GigaPan photo showing what the volcano is made
of. You should see distinct differences among the volcanoes. .
At the end of the Investigation, you will visit a "mystery" volcano. Use what you have learned
to decide what type of volcano it is and what kinds of hazards it poses to people. Safe
travels!
Folder 1: Cinder Cone Volcanoes (Lava Butte, Oregon)
Cinder Cone Volcanoes
Cinder cones are the most common type of volcano. Lava Butte is an excellent example.
View the animation (below) to see how cinder cones are formed.
[Cinder Cone animation]
Folder 2: Shield Volcanoes (Mauna Loa, Hawaii)
Shield Volcanoes
The Hawaiian Islands are a group of shield volcanoes. View the animation to see
how shield volcanoes are formed.
[Shield Volcano animation]
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Folder 3: Composite Volcanoes (Mount St. Helens, Washington)
Composite Volcanoes
Some of the most beautiful mountains in the world are composite volcanoes. View the
animation to see how composite volcanoes like Mount St. Helens are formed.
[Composite Volcano animation]
Folder 4: Summary (Volcano Classification)
Let's Reflect!
So, are all volcanoes the same?
In your travels you visited three different types of volcanoes:
1.
Cinder Cone
2.
Shield
3.
Composite
While every volcano is somewhat unique, we can classify most volcanoes as one of these
three types using the volcano’s shape and composition.
Compare your field notes with the descriptions below and make any additions you wish to
your field notebook.
Cinder Cone volcanoes are small. They have steep sides and a crater on top. They are
made up of small pieces of lava called cinder. When they erupt, lava is ejected from the vent.
It cools and breaks apart in the air and falls back down as cinder. The cinder builds up
around the vent. These eruptions are explosive, but small. They usually do not kill people.
Shield volcanoes have large, gently sloping domes. They do not have prominent
craters. Their domes are made up of many layers of lava. They erupt rather quietly
with lava fountains and flows. The lava has a low viscosity. This means it flows easily.
Composite volcanoes are large mountains. They have steep sides. They usually have a
crater. They can erupt in an explosive manner. This is because they have high viscosity
magma. As this thick magma rises, it clogs the volcano's main vent. this increases pressure
in the magma chamber. When they finally erupt, both magma and tephra explode from the
vent. Composite volcanoes are made up of layers of lava and tephra.
This is just one way to classify volcanoes. There are more complicated systems. If you study
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volcanoes more, you can learn about these.
Think you can classify a volcano just by looking at? Let’s fly to Mount Fuji and find out!
Folder 4: Summary (Mount Fuji, Japan)
You be the Expert!
Welcome to Mount Fuji, our mystery volcano. Explore the volcano in Google Earth. Record
any characteristics that will help you tell what type of volcano it is. Make your claim. State
your evidence. Then explain your reasoning.
Folder 5: Going Further (Site 1)
Mount Etna, Island of Sicily, Italy
Welcome to Mount Etna! Explore the volcano in Google Earth. Record any characteristics
that will help you decide what type of volcano it is. Make your claim. State your evidence.
Then explain your reasoning.
Folder 5: Going Further (Site 2)
Cerro Negro, Nicaragua
Welcome to Cerro Negro! Explore the volcano in Google Earth. Record any characteristics
that will help you decide what type of volcano it is. Make your claim. State your evidence.
Then explain your reasoning.
Folder 5: Going Further (Site 2)
Erta Ale, Ethiopia
Welcome to Erta Ale! Explore the volcano in Google Earth. Record any characteristics that
will help you decide what type of volcano it is. Make your claim. State your evidence. Then
explain your reasoning.
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