https://earthref.

org/SCC/lessons/2010/volcanology/
Introduction
This is a 2-3 week comprehensive unit on volcanology that introduces the key concepts of
volcanoes through presentations with guided note taking worksheets, several demonstrations, a
hands-on laboratory activity, and an optional final project. A review game and final exam are
included. Topics covered include locations, hazards, and anatomy of volcanoes; lava flows and
magma composition; eruption styles and historic eruptions; and predicting eruptions.
Overall Lesson Outline
Learning Goals

 Students know where and why volcanoes form and how that determines the shape, size,
and explosivity of the volcano.
 Students understand the impacts volcanoes have on humans and the environment.
 Students know how volcanoes are monitored.
Misconceptions

 All mountains have the ability to become volcanically active.

 Volcanoes only form near bodies of water.
 Volcanoes are common only in areas near the equator or other warm areas.
 Volcanoes appear in areas of rocky terrain.
 There is no pattern to volcano formation.
 Volcanoes are only found on land.
 All volcanoes erupt violently.
 Volcanoes only erupt straight up through the top vent.
 If a volcano doesn’t erupt for a hundred years, it’s extinct.
 If a volcano does not produce lava, it is not dangerous.
 It is possible for people to sink into lava.
 The mantle is liquid since liquid comes out of it.
 Volcanic eruptions are due to chemical reactions, fire, or hot explosives.
Overview Week 1: Daily Lessons and Activities
Details

 Day 1: Mapping locations of volcanoes, anatomy of a volcano, and intrusion

demonstration.
 Day 2: Lava flows, viscosity lab, and rock samples activity.
 Day 3: Volcano video.
Overview Week 2: Daily Lessons and Activities
Details

 Day 4: Hazards and benefits of volcanoes, effects on the atmosphere demonstration, and
dissolved gasses demonstrations.
  Day 5: Predicting eruptions, caldera formation demonstration, historic eruptions, and
review game.
 Day 6: Exam.
Overview Week 3 (optional): Volcano Research Project
Details

 Day 7: Begin research.

 Day 8: Prepare presentation.
 Day 9: Student presentations.
Context for Use

 This unit was written for a 9th grade Earth science class, but it is also appropriate for
middle school students.
 It was arranged for a class that meets three times a week for an hour and a half on the
first two days and an hour on the third.
 This unit was taught after plate tectonics so students were familiar with plate boundaries,
density, and layers of the Earth.
Assessment of Students

 No homework assignments are included in this unit. The option of assigning homework is
left up to the instructor.
 The instructor has the option of assigning the final project and/or administering the exam.
If the final project is assigned, the historic volcanoes lecture may be unnecessary.
Teaching Notes

 All teaching notes including tips, materials lists, activity and demonstration instructions,
final project, and video recommendations are given in the “teaching notes” document.
Week 1: Daily Activities
Day 1: Mapping locations of volcanoes, anatomy of a volcano, and intrusion demonstration
Map Instructions | Map | Introduction to Volcanoes Lesson | Introduction to Volcanoes Lesson
Notes | Introduction to Volcanoes Student Worksheet | Introduction to Volcanoes Key | Anatomy of
a Volcano Lesson | Anatomy of a Volcano Lesson Notes | Anatomy of a Volcano Student Worksheet
| Anatomy of a Volcano Key

 Class begins with a review on latitude and longitude followed by a mapping activity
where students map the locations of several volcanoes and are asked to find the pattern
of the locations of volcanoes around the globe.
 Students learn what causes volcanoes to form and watch animations showing how they
form.
 This is followed by a lesson on the internal structure of a volcano where students learn
names of intrusive igneous bodies.
 The final activity is a class demonstration of intrusion using a red dye injected into a
gelatin volcano. Students should follow the demonstration using the questions provided
in the lecture notes worksheet. Instructions are provided in the teaching notes.
Day 2: Lava flows, viscosity lab, and rock samples activity
Lava Flows Lesson | Lava Flows Lesson Notes | Magma Composition Lesson | Magma Composition
Lesson Notes | Magma Composition and Lava Flows Student Worksheet | Magma Composition and
Lava Flows Key | Viscosity Lab | Rock Samples Activity

 Students learn about the composition of igneous rocks.

 Several samples of igneous rocks are passed around and students record their
observations on the rock samples activity worksheet.
 This is followed by a lesson on different types of lava flows and short video clips of
examples.
 The final activity is the viscosity lab. Instructions are given in the teaching notes and
students should follow the viscosity lab worksheet.
Day 3: Volcano video

 Students watch a documentary on volcanoes to help them visualize aspects of volcanoes

that cannot be described easily such as what it is like to live next to a volcano and
experience an eruption.
 A list of possible documentaries along with descriptions is provided in the teaching notes.

Week 2: Daily Activities

Day 4: Hazards and benefits of volcanoes, types of eruptions, effects on the atmosphere
demonstration, and dissolved gasses demonstrations
Atmosphere Lesson | Atmosphere Lesson Notes | Atmosphere Student Worksheet | Atmosphere
Key | Hazards Lesson | Hazards Lesson Notes | Hazards Student Worksheet | Hazards Key | Types
of Eruptions Lesson | Types of Eruptions Lesson Notes | Types of Eruptions Student Worksheet |
Types of Eruptions Key

 Class begins and ends with a demonstration of how volcanic products can affect Earth’s
atmosphere. The “types of eruptions student worksheet” has a place for students to fill in
the results and questions for the students to answer.
 This is followed by a demonstration of dissolved gases and how they can cause an
explosion.
 The final demonstration allows students to see how liquids of different viscosities hold
gases for varying lengths of time.
 Students learn about the effects of volcanoes on the atmosphere and the hazards and
benefits that volcanoes pose to humans.
Day 5: Predicting eruptions, caldera formation demonstration, historic eruptions, and
review game
Predicting Eruptions Lesson | Predicting Eruptions Lesson Notes | Predicting Eruptions Student
Worksheet | Predicting Eruptions Key | Historic Eruptions Lesson | Historic Eruptions Lesson Notes
| Historic Eruptions Student Worksheet | Historic Eruptions Key | Review Game

 This day begins with a lesson and demonstration on how calderas are formed and how
scientists can predict volcanic eruptions.
 Next, there is a lesson on a few of the most destructive volcanic eruptions in recorded
history.
 Finally, there is a review game to help students prepare for the test. The game can take
up to an hour to complete, but can also be ended at any point.
Day 6: Exam
Volcanoes Unit Exam | Exam Key

 Students are given a multiple choice and fill in the blank exam. The answer key is
provided.

Week 3: Daily Activities

Week 3 daily lessons are optional.
Day 7: Begin Research
Research Project Guidelines

 Students are put in groups of 3 and they either choose or are assigned a volcano to
research. A list of volcanoes and instructions are given in the teaching notes. Students
will need access to a library or computers.
Day 8: Prepare Presentations

 This day, the students will prepare their presentations. The instructor can assign posters
and/or PowerPoint presentations. If PowerPoint presentations are assigned, students
will need access to computers.
Day 9: Student Presentations

 Students present the information that they found. This can take more than one day
depending on the number of students in the class and the time allotted for each
presentation.