Volcanoes

Volcanoes

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will understand the basic mechanisms behind volcanic activity. At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify the different types of volcanoes and their characteristics. At the end of the lesson you will be able to describe the different settings where volcanoes can form. At the end of the lesson you will be able to explain the impact of large volcanic eruptions on climate and human society. At the end of the lesson you will recognize that volcanism is not exclusive to Earth and occurs on other planetary bodies.

What do you already know about volcanoes?

Definition and Formation of Volcanoes

Volcanoes are ruptures in a planetary crust that allow magma, ash, and gases to escape from below the surface. Earth's volcanoes are often found at tectonic plate boundaries. Volcanism can also occur within continental plates at hotspots or rift zones.

Tectonic Plate Boundaries and Volcanic Activity

Tectonic plates are massive slabs of solid rock that make up Earth's lithosphere and move over the asthenosphere. Divergent boundaries form mid-ocean ridges and convergent boundaries form volcanic arcs.

Types of Volcanoes and Volcanic Features

Identifying the different types of volcanoes and their characteristics.

Volcanic Eruptions and Their Impact on Climate and Society

Large eruptions can lead to volcanic winters with significant climatic and societal impacts.

Extraterrestrial Volcanism

Recognizing that volcanism is not exclusive to Earth and occurs on other planetary bodies.

Volcanoes

Volcano: A rupture in a planetary crust that allows magma, ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber beneath the surface. Magma chamber: A large pool of liquid rock beneath the surface of the Earth. Tectonic plates: Massive slabs of solid rock that make up Earth's lithosphere and move over the asthenosphere. Divergent boundary: A tectonic boundary where two plates move away from each other. Convergent boundary: A tectonic boundary where two plates move toward each other. Hotspot: A location in the mantle where a persistent plume of magma rises to the crust, creating a series of volcanoes. Volcanic winter: A reduction in global temperatures caused by volcanic ash and sulfuric acid droplets obscuring the Sun.

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.