Download Name of volcanologist

Name of volcanologist: ________________________
Section: __________
It is the year 2001, and a large Indonesian volcano has erupted. It is the worst eruption in recorded
history. To make matters worse, Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Vesuvius are showing signs of
erupting violently in the near future.
Because you are a volcanologist, you have been hired by the US Government as an expert aide to the
president of the United States. For several days you will be using the internet and your text book to
gather data and information. Sometimes you will work alone – sometimes you will work in a group.
Soon, you will join other volcanologists at the World Conference on Volcanism (which just so
happens to be meeting in Dalton, Ohio this year – how convenient!) You will work with other
volcanologists to inform the president of general information about volcanoes, historical volcanoes,
volcano prediction, effects to the environment and global climate, what can be expected to happen
and what steps can be taken to help people cope with the disaster.

Each scientist will choose an area of expertise and spend time researching information in this
area of study.

Each scientist will create a poster and write a summary of the information in their specialty
area.

Each group will create a model of one of the three types of volcanoes (shield, cinder cone, or
composite). The model must include labels.

Each group will give a presentation of their research findings using their posters, models, and
other information.
[More information about the written summary, poster, model,
group presentation and deadlines will come at a later date.]
General Volcanologist (Each Scientist should choose at least one from the list below.)
_________
Do their eruptions have anything to do with plate tectonic movement? Explain
_________
Your report to the president should include information about the three types of
volcanoes, why they happen, where they happen, and the damage caused by each type.
_________
Explain the difference between active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes.
_________
What is a hot spot? Are hot spots dangerous?
_________
What is the difference between aa lava, pillow lava, pahoehoe lava, blocky lava,
volcanic blocks, volcanic bombs, lapilli, and volcanic ash?
_________
What is pyroclastic flow?
_________
Are there any benefits to volcanic eruptions?
Volcanologist specializing in Prediction of Volcanoes
1. How can volcanologists predict if and when volcanoes will erupt?
2. What tools and/or instruments do volcanologists need to make their predictions?
3. What might cause a bulge in the slope of a volcano?
4. What does silica have to do with the type of eruptions that occur?
5. Do different volcanoes occur at convergent vs. divergent boundaries?
Volcanologist specializing in the Effects Volcanoes Have on Humans
1. How fast can lava or ash flow from a volcano?
2. How many people live by Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Vesuvius?
3. Are these people in danger?
4. What would you recommend to do to save people and towns that live close to a volcano?
5. Living by a volcano seems dangerous. Why do people live close to volcanoes?
Volcanologist specializing in the Effects Volcanoes Have on Global Climate and the
Environment
1. Many volcanoes are covered with snow and glaciers. If these volcanoes were to erupt
explosively, what effects would you expect?
2. Have volcanic eruptions affected the environment and global climate in the past?
3. How would these volcanic eruptions affect the environment and global climate?
4. How long do environmental and global climate effects last?
5. What is “vog”? Why is it a problem on the Big Island of Hawaii?
Historical Volcanologist
1. Research some background information about Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Vesuvius.
2. What kind of eruptions have these volcanoes shown in the past?
3. Why do these volcanoes erupt in this manner?
4. What happened in 1816 and why was it called the “year without summer”?
5. Any other information about famous volcanic eruptions in history