Flow of Andesite Lava

Barbara Nash
,
University of Utah
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Summary

The purpose of the exercise is to familiarize igneous petrology students with flow properties of lava, especially viscosity, and to have them consider effects on viscosity due to temperature, crystallinity and volatile content. The problem uses data from an actual eruption.

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Context

Audience

This activity would be used in an undergraduate (sophomore or junior level) required course in petrology.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

How the activity is situated in the course

This is a stand-alone exercise.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

The goal of the exercise is to familiarize igneous petrology students with flow properties of lava, especially viscosity, and to have them consider effects on viscosity due to temperature, crystallinity and volatile content.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

This activity involves the analysis of data and mathematical computations.

Other skills goals for this activity

This activity may involve group work.

Description of the activity/assignment

The purpose of the exercise is to familiarize igneous petrology students with flow properties of lava, especially viscosity, and to have them consider effects on viscosity due to temperature, crystallinity and volatile content. The problem uses data from an actual eruption.

Determining whether students have met the goals

Students have met the goals of this activity if they thoroughly and accurately answer the questions provided in the activity download (see below).

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

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