Volcano Lab - Google Earth

Tamara Misner, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Author Profile

Summary

Volcano shape is strongly controlled by eruptive style, which in turn is controlled by magma composition and tectonic setting. This lab utilizes Google Earth, which takes students on a virtual field trip, in order to give them the opportunity to examine volcanoes from around the globe, and to interpret the tectonic settings in which they form. After completing this activity students will be able to describe and identify the common volcano types, and relate volcano types with associated volcanic hazards, tectonic setting, and geographic location.

Used this activity? Share your experiences and modifications

Learning Goals

Content/concepts goals
After completing this activity students will be able to describe and identify the common volcano types, and relate volcano types with associated volcanic hazards, tectonic setting, and geographic location.

Higher order thinking skills goals
This activity involves the analysis of physical properties of volcanoes using Google Earth (i.e. relief, width, slope). Additionally, students are required to summarize the data they collect graphically, and synthesize the information by relating the physical properties of volcanoes to magma composition and tectonic setting.

Other skills goals

Context for Use

Type and level of course
This activity is typically utilized as a lab activity in an introductory geology course.

Skills and concepts students should have mastered
Students should be familiar with common tectonic settings, volcano types, common volcanic deposits and hazards.

How the activity is situated in the course
This activity is used as a stand-alone exercise in lab.

Description and Teaching Materials


Volcano Lab - Google Earth (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 142kB May2 17)



Teaching Notes and Tips

Students should be familiar with how to use Google Earth. It is helpful to do the first volcano as a group to make sure everyone understands how to use the measure tool in Google Earth, and where to take the measurements on the volcano.

Assessment

The exercise is graded based on the accuracy student responses.

References and Resources

To learn more about volcanoes, check out the following websites: the Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program: http://volcano.si.edu/, Volcano World: Http://volcanooregonstate.edu/, and the USGS Volcanic Hazards Program: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/.