Distribution of Active Volcanoes Exercise

Teaching materials by John C. Butler - Starting Point page by R. Teed (SERC).

This material was originally created for Starting Point:Introductory Geology
and is replicated here as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service.

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Initial Publication Date: August 10, 2006 | Reviewed: November 2, 2013 (see revision history: 3 events)

Summary

This worksheet is intended to direct students working independently in a 6-week volcano exercise within an online geology course. The exercise consists of a series of questions plus helpful links and a map. The students collect and plot data, then interpret the results and answer questions about the geologic causes and the human effects of volcanic eruption. The exercise includes role-playing (individual) and a virtual field trip.

Volcanology, Igneous Associations and Tectonic Settings, Tectonics, ...(more) | College Introductory

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Learning Goals

The purpose of this unit is to:

Acquaint students with the distribution of volcanoes and its relationship to Earth's tectonic plates.
Explain what hot spots are.
Stress the different types of plate boundaries.
Teach students about volcanoes as a geologic hazard.

Context for Use

This exercise is part of an online course, but could make for a good series of homework assignments or in-class projects for a face-to-face class. There are eight questions, ranging from a simple definition to a two-page paper.

Description and Teaching Materials

The Distribution of Active Volcanoes Exercise (more info) includes a map of plate boundaries the students will need to print out. Different-color markers and computers with Internet connections will be needed for various questions.

Teaching Notes and Tips

This exercise includes an individual role-playing project: question 7, a newspaper article about funding a convention center in an area with serious volcanic hazards.

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Assessment

All of the questions involve written answers and were intended to assess inquiry activities.

References and Resources

Interactive approaches to role-playing that involve volcanoes are:

The Sleeping Mountain: which includes some specific information and links on the dangers of living (or even investing) near a Cascades volcano
Eruption

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