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Could a volcano pop up where you live?

Could a volcano pop up where you live?

Lesson narration:
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Discuss:

Before we go any further, I’m curious to hear your ideas.
Do you think it’s possible for a volcano to pop up where you live? Why or why not?

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Discuss: This map shows other volcanoes in the world. Look for other patterns in those volcanoes. Can you use those patterns to predict where new volcanoes might form?

volcanoesonworldmap

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# Extensions
Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & exploration you just completed.
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# Volcano Resources

Here are some great resources for volcano research:

Here’s some information students might include in their reports:

  • Where is this volcano?
  • When did it last erupt?
  • What is most interesting about this volcano?
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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Lesson Image
Llaima eruption by Urbatem2 , used under CC BY-SA
city of Temuco by Claude Cobar , used under CC BY-SA
Exploration
lava flowing by HUGEFloods.com , used under CC BY
lava burning branches by News World , used under CC BY
Hawaii volcano lava by BigIslandHikes , used under CC BY
Roxbourne Park by Ewan Munro , used under CC BY-SA
stromboli by Steven W. Dengler , used under CC BY-SA
team of mules by unknown
ground cracks by Rémih
volcano fissure by activistpost , used under CC BY
Paricutin by K. Segerstrom, U.S. Geological Survey
lava flows by RBM
building on mountain by Fernando De la Torre , used under CC BY-SA
Mount Yasur by Eten over Zee , used under CC BY
Mt. St. Helens crater by R. P. Hoblitt
collecting lava by R.L. Christiansen
crater by MONUSCO Photos , used under CC BY-SA
lava sampling by USGS
Trimble Knob by Raph Levien , used under CC BY
Activity
ducks by Arne List , used under CC BY-SA
pencil by Charm
red pencil by Tom Ahearn
Other
split rocks by Rosino , used under CC BY
Lesson narration:

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this lesson, students explore the past and present pattern of where volcanoes exist on the earth. In the activity, Mapping Volcanoes, students plot volcano locations on a world map and look for patterns. Students analyze these maps to discover that volcanoes form a “Ring of Fire” around the Pacific Ocean.

Preview activity
COVID-19 Adaptations
Students can work solo
Digital worksheets available
See our advice below
Students need a printout

Students at home
Students need the Volcano Mapping printout (printed) and the Volcano Discoveries worksheet (printed or digital). Students can complete a portion of the map on their own and then share what the maps look like over video conference.
Students at school
You'll need a Volcano Mapping printout for each student so everyone can have their own. Collect the maps and assemble them as described in the step-by-step activity instructions.

Exploration

7 mins

Wrap-Up

8 mins

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