Why do some volcanoes explode?

Why do some volcanoes explode?

Lesson narration:
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DISCUSS:
Here are some examples of each kind of volcano. What do you notice about the shape?

volcanoshapechart

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DISCUSS:
Here are a couple of rocks collected from each type of volcano. What do you notice?

volcanorockchart

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rock


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a solid natural material that is found on and under the surface of the Earth
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volcano


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a high area of land with an opening where lava flows or explodes out from
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erupt


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when lava quickly comes out of a volcano
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lava


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liquid rock that flows or explodes from a volcano
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cone volcano


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a volcano with slow-flowing, thick lava that usually erupts with an explosion
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shield volcano


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a volcano with fast-flowing, thin lava that does not usually erupt with an explosion
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basalt


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a type of rock formed when thin, fast-moving lava cools and is usually very dark in color
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felsite


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a type of rock formed when thick, slow-moving lava cools and is usually light in color
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experiment


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a test used to discover new information about a question
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model


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a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
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Lesson Image
Java vulcan semeru by M. Rietze , used under CC BY-SA
Exploration
world map by Celestia , used under CC BY
spring transition by Spencer Thomas , used under CC BY
eruption plume by Mike Doukas
Mt. St. Helens by Harry Glicken
Mt. St. Helens today by SD4ever
timber by USGS
Reid Blackburn's car by Danial Dzurisin
volcano eruption from space station by NASA Goddard , used under CC BY
Vesuvius by Joseph Wright
Tavurvur volcano by Taro Taylor , used under CC BY
Hawaii lava hike by NewMastersound , used under CC BY
What is lava? by HUGEFloods.com , used under CC BY
Kilauea volcano by PublicResourceOrg , used under CC BY
Etna's crater by Boris Behncke , used under CC BY
Costarica by Samoano , used under CC BY-SA
Fuji by 名古屋太郎 , used under CC BY-SA
Mauna Kea by Nula666 , used under CC BY-SA
Mt. Mayon by Tomas Tam , used under CC BY
Pas bellecombe by Nananère , used under CC BY-SA
sheild volcanos by Smithsonian Institution , used under CC BY
lava flow by KillerPX1 , used under CC BY
Syracuse University lava project by Sam Morrison , used under CC BY
thick lava by Andi Rosadi / VolcanoDiscovery Indonesia , used under CC BY
Mount Semeru by permadhi , used under CC BY
Mt. St. Helens plume by Lyn Topinka
Activity
sheep by Daniel Flathagen , used under CC BY-SA
cup by DiegoAbud , used under CC BY-SA
pencil by Charm
spoon by SOLO Estonia , used under CC BY-SA
Lesson narration:

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this lesson, students will investigate how differences in lava types explain differences in the shape and eruption patterns among volcanoes. In the activity, Bubble Trouble, students compare two different types of "lava" -- thin and thick. They use this information to figure out why volcanoes have different shapes and how the type of lava explains why some volcanoes explode.

Preview activity

Exploration

15 mins

Wrap-Up

5 mins

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