Volcanoes
Studying a volcano is a very dangerous task. Getting close to lava that has an extremely dangerous temperature or monitoring an active volcano that could erupt can lead to very dangerous situations. Recent technologies have allowed volcanoes to be studied using remote sensing. A volcanologist is a type of scientist who studies volcanoes. A volcanologist can place sensitive instruments near a volcano to monitor its activity. For volcanoes that are near civilization, the instruments could help in early detection of an impending eruption. As you can see from the image to the right, studies can lead volcanologists close to lava. This volcanologist is studying the chemical composition of the lava. Volcanologists are not just thrill seekers who climb volcanoes for spectacular photographs. These scientists study every aspect of a volcano, including the structure, the interior geology, the predictions, the composition of the lava, and the climate effects of an eruption.
Are you interested in becoming a volcanologist? View the video Lava Sampling on Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i from eMediaVA℠ to watch a scientist gather an actual lava sample. Make sure to pay attention to what the scientists says he likes about his job, and why he thinks it is important.
Causes and Location
Volcanoes are an impressive natural phenomenon caused by Earth’s most powerful interior force. The interaction of tectonic plates driven by convection currents in Earth’s mantle create the conditions necessary for rock to partially melt into magma and collect underneath Earth’s surface. As the pressure rises, cracks form in the solid rock above, creating a pathway for the less dense magma to reach Earth’s surface where it erupts becoming lava. In this interactivity, Dr. Simpson, a volcanologist, will provide you with some basic information about volcanoes. Click the player button to begin.
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The Anatomy of a Volcano
What are the different parts of a volcano? In order for magma to find its way to the surface the Earth and erupt it must travel from the magma chamber to the crater. Sometimes this magma finds several exits through the surrounding rock and vents out of a secondary cone. Other times the magma solidifies underground producing intrusive igneous intrusions. In this activity, you will view a cross section of a volcano in order to learn its anatomy.
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Types of Volcanoes
The type of magma inside of a volcano can determine the volcanoes shape. This creates three different classifications of volcanoes. Volcanoes made from basaltic magma tend to be large and dome shaped. If the magma is granitic, the volcano will be a smaller cone shaped. Some volcanoes produce magma that is mixture of basaltic and granitic, creating a third classification. In this activity, you will explore the three different types of volcanoes. Click the player button to begin.
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Volcanoes Review
Now that you have investigated volcanoes, complete this non-graded activity to review your knowledge. Read each question and enter the correct word from the word bank into the blank space provided. Click the player button to get started.