Volcanoes

Volcanoes

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will be able to explain the formation and characteristics of different types of volcanoes.

What do you already know about volcanoes?

Introduction to Volcanoes and their Etymology

Volcanoes are openings in Earth's crust that allow magma to escape. They are often found at diverging or converging tectonic plates, such as mid-ocean ridges and the Ring of Fire, respectively.

The Role of Plate Tectonics in Volcanic Activity

Plate tectonics is a scientific theory describing the large-scale motion of Earth's lithosphere. It plays a significant role in volcanic activity.

Divergent and Convergent Plate Boundaries

Volcanic activity is commonly associated with diverging or converging tectonic plates. Examples include mid-ocean ridges and the Ring of Fire, respectively.

Hotspots and Mantle Plumes

Hotspots are locations on Earth's surface that have experienced volcanism for a long period, often attributed to a mantle plume.

Continental Rifting and Volcanic Features

Volcanism can also occur at rift zones and away from plate boundaries, resulting in unique volcanic features.

Types of Volcanoes

Different types of volcanoes include shield, cinder cone, composite, and supervolcanoes, each with distinct features and eruption styles.

Supervolcanoes and their Global Effects

Supervolcanoes are capable of large-scale eruptions with significant global effects, and are a topic of interest in the study of volcanology.

Submarine and Subglacial Volcanoes

Submarine and subglacial volcanoes are unique formations located beneath the ocean surface or beneath glaciers and ice sheets.

Mud Volcanoes and their Formation

Mud volcanoes are geological formations created by the eruption of mud or slurries, gases, and water, and are part of the diverse range of volcanic structures.

Volcanic Terminology

Volcano: A rupture in the crust of a planetary-mass object that allows hot lava, ash, and gases to escape from below the surface. Plate tectonics: A scientific theory describing the large-scale motion of Earth's lithosphere. Hotspot: A location on Earth's surface that has experienced volcanism for a long period, often attributed to a mantle plume. Mantle plume: A proposed upwelling of abnormally hot rock within the Earth's mantle. Supervolcano: A volcano that has had an eruption with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 8, the largest recorded value on the index. Submarine volcano: A volcanic formation located beneath the ocean surface. Subglacial volcano: A volcanic formation that exists beneath a glacier or ice sheet. Mud volcano: A geological formation created by the eruption of mud or slurries, gases, and water.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.