"We Need All the Assistance You Have..."

USGS (US Geological Survey)

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Scientific Accuracy
Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
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Initial Publication Date: May 27, 2018 | Reviewed: March 6, 2019 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

This exercise provides a basic introduction to volcanic hazards. Students learn about different types of volcanic hazards through researching examples from Alaskan eruptions. They also group the hazards as proximal and distal to consider how emergency response plans might differ. A recording of the KLM flight 867 flight that lost power to all four engines when it flew into an ash cloud from a 1989 Mt Redoubt eruption provides a compelling example of risk from volcanoes. (Note: the plane was ultimately able to regain enough power to land safely in Anchorage.) Students learn about the Volcano Hazards Alert-Notification System for both ground-based and aviation applications.

Show more information on NGSS alignment

Geoscience, Volcanism, Natural Hazards | Intermediate (3-5), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)

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Context

Audience

Appropriate for secondary school classrooms.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Some previous knowledge of volcanoes could be good, although this could also be an introductory exercise related to volcanoes.

How the activity is situated in the course

Can come at most any point in a course or unit related to geoscience or geohazards, although near the beginning of a section on volcanoes would make the most sense. Many instructors would probably put this shortly after an introduction to plate tectonics and volcanoes. However it could also be used as a "hook" to get students interested in knowing more about how/why volcanoes form.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Learners will be able to:

Correctly define a dozen different volcanic hazards
Research eruptions (mostly from Alaskan volcanoes) that exhibited different volcanic hazards
Classify volcanic hazards into proximal and distal
Describe levels in the Aviation and Ground-based Volcano Hazards Alert-Notificaton System

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

not applicable

Other skills goals for this activity

not applicable

Description and Teaching Materials

See attached file for educator notes, Alaskan Science Standard alignment, links to supporting resources, student exercises, and answer keys. This activity is one part of Chapter 5 in the book Alaska Volcanoes Guidebook for Teachers.

We Need All the Assistance You Have..." Activity (Acrobat (PDF) 1001kB May27 18)

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Activity page 1 preview
Provenance: USGS and ANGLE Project
Reuse: This item is in the public domain and maybe reused freely without restriction.
Flight Recording from KLM 867 as it flew into an ash cloud in 1989 (PowerPoint 999kB May27 18) - This short recording provides a vivid example of the dangers volcanic ash clouds pose for aircraft. (Note: the flight ultimately made an safe emergency landing)

Click to view
Supporting Presention: Alaska Volcanoes Guidebook for Teachers (Acrobat (PDF) 9.3MB May27 18) - These slides are intended to support the entire Alaska Volcanoes Guidebook for Teachers. Elements of the presentation could be delivered by the instructor or it could be given to the students as an information source for their research on Alaskan eruptions and volcanic hazards.

Teaching Notes and Tips

The book Alaska Volcanoes Guidebook for Teachers has many other activities that can provide good extensions from this simple introductory exercise. For example, the next two activities in Chapter 5 delve into volcano emergency planning and response.

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Assessment

Formative assessment of student understanding can be gathered from classroom observation and discussions with individuals or small groups.
The student exercise serves as the assessment for the activity. The questions have clearly correct answers and an answer key is provided.

References and Resources

Alaska Volcano Observatory - Volcanoes in Alaska, monitoring information, pictures, and more
USGS Volcanoes Hazards Program - Volcanoes in USA, monitoring information, pictures, and more
The activity was presented as part of the EarthScope ANGLE Educator Workshops.
Contact ANGLE with questions or comments.