Download Volcano Project

Volcano Types and Formation
Introduction:
There are 3 basic types of volcanoes, some are explosive and some erupt quietly. Some are active for
millions of years and others for only a few years.
The type of volcanic structure and its location on Earth’s surface is determined by the type of magma it
erupts.
The type of magma is determined by its composition.
Essential question: What causes volcanoes to erupt mafic or felsic lava and how does that effect its
formation and location?
Procedures:
1. Select a type of volcano from the (VEI chart) list below:
a. Shield volcano: Hawaiian: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, extra-terrestrial: Mt. Olympus on Mars,
and Nyamuragira volcano in east African rift.
b. Composite / stratovolcano: Mt. St. Helen, in NW U.S., Mt. Vesuvius in Italy, Krakatoa and
Mt. Pinatubo in Indonesia,
c. Cinder cone: Paricutin, Mexico
d. Yellowstone: U.S.
2. Research: Read your book to find out about your type and specific volcano first, then look
online. Fill out your flow chart as you gather information on your volcano
 Shape, size, slope (steepness) (pg. 202, 203)
 Location on a world map. (pg. 173, 711, 712)
 Magma: mafic or felsic and the characteristics (pg. 121, 199-201 and your igneous rock
notes )
 Type of igneous extrusive rocks: (pg. 122, 123)
 Mineral composition of the magma: (pg. 108,109, 703)
 Melting/crystalizing temperatures of the minerals: (pg. 73, 703) (Bowens’ Reaction
Series)
 Geothermal Gradient of Earth’s layers (pg. 73, 199. 703 and chart)
 Source of the magma; where it originates from: (pg. 73, 703, 202, 203 and chart)
 Eruption History, VEI, active/dormant/extinct, environmental and human hazards/risks,
3. White board and diagram the volcano and its characteristics.
4. Collaborate with the groups that had your same type of volcano to discuss key similarities to present and
discuss with the class.
5. Answer analysis questions as the groups present/discuss information.
White Board Class Discussion Questions:
1. The PARTS that make up a volcano system in Earth’s geosphere consist of:
2. What is it about the magma that causes the shield volcanoes to have a wide, flat, broad
size/shape while the composite volcano mountains have tall, symmetrical triangle shape?
3. What/where is the heat energy for mafic magma? At what depth does this magma originate?
Compare the heat energy of an active volcano to an extinct volcano.
4. Compare the locations of the composite volcanoes to the location of the shield volcanoes. What
pattern do you notice?
5. Composite volcanoes and cinder cones have a layered structure. Related this to the type of
magma and eruption they have.
6. Many composite volcanoes appear to be stable (dormant) for long periods of time. What
changes in the volcanoes system would cause it to become unstable and erupt again?
7. Relate the size/scale of the shield volcano Mt. Olympus on Mars and the Hawaiian volcanoes on
Earth to the time it would take to form.
Volcano Name:
Shape
Explosivity: VEI
Size
Type and Characteristics of the
lava that erupts (mafic or felsic)
Volcano Type:
Elevation
Location: (ocean or land)
The minerals in the magma:
Slope/steepness
Location
Elements in the minerals in
the magma: (iron/magnesium
or silica/feldspar)
Igneous extrusive rocks that
are ejected or formed:
Melting / crystalizing
temperature of the minerals
Geothermal gradient temperatures of Earth’s
layers:
Eruption History:
Active, dormant, extinct:
Environmental hazards:
Human impact and risks:
SOURCE (layer of Earth) of the magma that is
erupted:
Volcano Name :
Location:
Shape
Size:
Elevation
Slope/steepness
Diagram -
Type and Characteristics of the lava that erupts:
Igneous extrusive rocks that are formed:
Elements and Mineral composition of the magma:
Geothermal gradient temperature of Earth’s layers:
Melting / crystalizing temperature of the minerals:
SOURCE (layer) that the magma originates from:
Eruption History:
Active, dormant, extinct:
VEI index rating:
Environmental hazards:
Human hazards and risks:
Volcano Type: