Student Name: _______________________________ Student Number: _____________

VOLCANO PROJECT
Information Sheet and Schedule of Due Dates
Volcanoes come in all shapes and sizes with varying degrees of activity. They are not always big,
cone-shaped mountains spewing out lava in grand explosions. This semester project will allow you to
get up close and personal with one of the more notable eruptions in history. Each of you will be
assigned a volcano from the list below. After gathering enough information to answer the Guiding
Questions, you will prepare a Powerpoint presentation highlighting important details of your
volcano and connections to plate tectonics, complete one of three project options given, and submit
a written paper. Please remember to do your very best work and show significant effort as this
assignment will count for a large portion of your science grade for the semester. Follow all the
necessary guidelines, and be mindful of the due dates given. I look forward to seeing your creations,
listening to your discoveries, and reading about your intriguing volcanoes.
So what will be due:
Answers to Guiding Questions AND
Powerpoint presentation AND
Written Essay AND
Brochure, volcano model OR experimental design

Volcano Choices:
1. Tambora, Indonesia
2. Krakatau, Indonesia
3. Mount Pelee, Martinique
4. Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia
5. Unzen, Japan
6. Laki, Iceland
7. Kelut, Indonesia
8. Galunggung, Indonesia
9. Mount Yasur, Vanuata
10. Cleveland, Alaska
11. Papandayan, Indonesia
12. Lamington, Papua New Guinea
13. El Chichon, Mexico
14. Soufriere, St. Vincent
15. Oshima, Japan
16. Asama, Japan
17.Taal, Philippines
18. Mayon, Philippines
19. Agung, Indonesia
20. Mount Erebus, Anarctica
21. Cotopaxi, Ecuador
22. Pinatubo, Philippines
23. Komagatake, Japan
24. Mount Etna, Italy
25. Hibok-Hibok, Philippines
26. Mount St. Helens, Washington
27. Mount Rainier, Washington
28. Mount Kilauea, Hawaii
29. Yellowstone, Wyoming
30. Popocapetl, Mexico

Note: For an alternate volcano choice not listed above, please gain approval from your teacher.

Project Components and Schedule

Part 1: Volcano choice, project choice, and parent signature due Monday, Feb 27th 2017

1. Volcano Choice _____________________________________________________________

2. Project choice ______________________________________________________________
3. Parent Signature __________________________________________________________
Part 2: 5 Paragraph Research Paper due:
Draft: March 3rd 2017 Final: March 10th 2017
The typed or black/blue ink paper should be turned by hand or emailed by this due date. Details to follow.
Part 3: Project and Powerpoint Presentation due March 14th!! Presentations are that day!
At this point both your project and Powerpoint presentation are to be completed. Presentations will start to
take place on this day. I highly recommend that your email your Powerpoint 1-2 days prior to make sure I have
it on the due date.
NO LATE PROJECTS OR PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED after MARCH 15TH, WHICH IS THE END OF
THE 3RD QUARTER.
Each question should be addressed within your written report, and answered in your
Powerpoint presentation.
Guiding Questions:

1. What is the name, location, coordinates, tectonic plate, and geological area? (connect to plate
tectonics and earths structure)
2. What is its age, type, and composition? Include size, altitude, and features.
3. What is its condition? (dormant, active, extinct.) When was the most recent eruption? (connect to
earths geological history)
4. Is the volcano a result of a hot spot, or result of subduction? Explain the tectonic forces at work.
5. What type of eruptions does it produce? Explain why.
6. What are some of the effects of past eruptions on the landscape, people, & the planet, in general?
7. What are some of the benefits of this volcanos eruptions?
8. What does the future holds for this volcano? What do experts predict?
9. What could scientists do to predict and prepare for future disasters?
10. Have there been earthquakes associated with it? Explain earthquakes.
11. Pictures ~ for Powerpoint presentation only
* Diagram of your volcano
* Picture of your volcano in present condition
* Timeline of events related to your volcano- (earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.)
* Picture of effects of your volcano after eruption
* Chart or graph related to your information
Optional:
12. What tales and legends are associated with this volcano?

Website Resources :
Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/home.html
Click on Volcanoes to find a list of volcano names. Click on the name of your volcano to
find more information. Click on Description to find information related to questions.
Global Volcanism Program http://www.volcano.si.edu/gvp/
Good site for determining the location of your volcano.
Google http://www.google.com Useful for general volcano information

Volcano World: http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/

 Volcano Project Options -Please select 1 of the 3 options below.

Option 1: 3D Volcano Model
Use materials of your choice to make a 3D volcano model. You can make a cake and decorate
it to depict your selected volcano. If you can think it, you can build it! Some students have
used salt dough, clay, dirt, cement, paper, wood, you name it. On the following pages of this
packet you will find guidelines and website resources regarding suggestions for making your
3D model.

Option 2: Volcano Travel Brochure

You work for a travel agency which specializes in travel to famous volcanoes. Your job is to create a travel
brochure about one famous volcano which would encourage or influence people to visit this spectacular
place. If you choose to complete option # 1 make sure to follow the guidelines for the project on the following
page below.
Question to start with: After choosing my volcano, why would someone want to visit?

Option 3: Experimental design

You are to working with a team of scientists to study volcanoes. Develop a testable question, a
hypothesis (possible answer) and design an experiment to test your idea. Create a poster
board with required elements. Record your data and provide a written statement explaining
the conclusions of your investigation.

Volcano Model Guidelines ~ Option 1

3D model must be a cross section of your volcano.
Eruption is optional
Dimensions: Base not to exceed 20x20 and no smaller than 12X12
The volcanos name and location must appear somewhere on the model
The model should depict the actual volcano you are researching. (It should reflect the
type of volcano, lava flow, and eruption type)
The model should be neatly labeled with the necessary parts associated with your
volcano(vents, magma, lava, crater, magma chamber, pyroclastic materials, ect)
Please include a legend on the base of your volcano that includes the following
information:
o Elevation
o Type of volcano
o Location
o Type of eruption

Use these references to start your research

Alaska Volcano Observatory : h
ttp://www.avo.alaska.edu/
Cascades volcano Observatory:
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/cvo/index.html
Electronic Volcano: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~volcano/
Michigan Tech Volcanoes Page:
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/Volcanoes/Index.html
Geological Volcanism Program (GVP): http://volcano.si.edu/
US Geological survey volcanic hazards program: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/
Volcano Watch newsletter: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/
Volcanoes: Can we predict eruptions?
http://www.learner.org/interactives/volcanoes/entry.html
Mount St. Helens (Washington State):
o http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/us/saint-helens-mount.htm
l

Mount Etna (Sicily):

o http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/world/etna.html
Mount Kilauea (Hawaii):
o http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/us/kilauea.html
Mauna Loa (Hawaii):
o http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/us/mauna-loa.html
Izalco (El Salvador):
o http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/world/izalco.html
Askja (Iceland) :
o http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/world/askja.html
Mount Vesuvius (Italy):

 o http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/world/vesuvius.html

Volcano Travel Brochure Guidelines ~ Option 2

Assignment Summary: You are a member of a high-adventure travel agency. Your agency has been receiving
many requests from its clients to visit active volcano sites, preferably ones that are likely to erupt at any
moment. Your job is to make a mock-up of an advertising brochure and convince tourists to visit your volcano.
You get to choose the destination and create an eye-catching, informative, three-fold brochure highlighting
what the volcano has to offer an adventure traveler.

Purpose: Your purpose is both persuasive and informative. Your job is to attract the reader to the volcano.

Writers Role: You are a member of the advertising team for an adventure travel agency.

Audience: You will be writing for scientifically-minded adventurous people who are potential clients of the
travel agency.

Form: Your brochure should be neat and laid out in three-fold format using both the front and the back of
each page. The brochure should be colorful and visually appealing and include photos and graphics. You must
include the following information in your brochure either in a narrative format or using bullet points. Please
follow the format below for each of the 6 pages of your three fold brochure.

Front Cover Middle/Back Inside Flap

Volcano Name Travel company info Effects of this volcano on

Location (city, country) (you can make this company name up. Be creative) the environment (positive
Current Picture and negatively)
Your name Picture (optional)
Inside page 1 Inside page 2(middle) Inside page 3

Type of Volcano (describe) Persuasive essay piece to Picture of volcano

Elevation convince tourists, Eruption history (last
Eruption Type scientists, and world eruptions, damage done,
Picture of volcano travelers to come and visit lives lost, ect.)
Type of magma/lava your volcano. Compare this volcano to at
Eruption products least two other volcanoes
Its current life stage (active, In regards to its eruption
dormant, extinct) violence. (you may insert a
Tectonic Plate Location graph here if you choose)

Some Helpful Research Sources:

Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/home.html
Click on Volcanoes to find a list of volcano names. Click on the name of your volcano to
find more information. Click on Description to find information related to questions.
Global Volcanism Program http://www.volcano.si.edu/gvp/
Good site for determining the location of your volcano.
Google http://www.google.com Useful for general volcano information

 Experimental design Guidelines ~ Option 3

Assignment Summary: You are a member of an elite science research team. Your team has been receiving
many request from the USGS to research volcanoes. Your job is to investigate volcanoes and its effect on
climate change. Develop a testable question, a hypothesis (possible answer) and design an experiment to test.
You get to create an eye-catching, informative, science poster highlighting your investigation and the
conclusions you found based on the data you collected. SAFETY is a requirement and teacher and guardian
must approve experimental design prior to testing.

Audience: You will be writing for scientifically minded people who are presenting to the Global Climate
Commission.

Form: Your poster should be neat and laid out in an organized format. The poster should be colorful and
visually appealing and include photos and graphics. You must include the following information in your
poster: Testable question, Hypothesis, Experimental design (procedures, materials, variable), Data chart and
conclusion statement.

Ask for Experimental design graphic organizer to support you.

Science Research/Sources (25)

A variety of sources were used to locate relevant data on volcanoes and climate change.
The research was complete enough to support student conclusions.
Conclusions are based on thorough research not on limited information.
Varied and reliable resources were used.
Sources are provided. Score ________________

Analysis of Data (25)

Data were analyzed to identify volcanoes effects on weather and climate.
Presentation incorporates relevant tables and graphs to support conclusions.
Data are sufficient to support conclusions.
Student shows an understanding of the graphs and tables and can speak knowledgably about the
analysis.
Student uses scientific data to support a position on volcanic eruptions as an environmental issue.
Data used are well selected to support the position.
Data and supporting graphics extend beyond the basic.
Score ________________
Science Content Knowledge (50)
Student explains the difference between climate and weather.
Student discusses the difference between global climate change and global warming.
Student lists and describes three types of volcanoes, including volcano structure, type, and eruption.
Student uses satellite data to identify volcanoes that might have caused weather or climate effects.
Student discusses types of gases emitted by volcanoes and explains their possible impacts on global
climate change and/or weather patterns.
Student describes the layers of Earths atmosphere and how characteristics of the layers affect volcanic
ash dispersal and resulting weather effects.
Student identifies causes of increased global mean temperatures.
Student explains possible human consequences to predicted global climate changes.

Score ________________

Written report ~ Paper Requirements

A typed, 5-paragraph expository essay is to be turned in before your presentation. The paper
should be well organized, following the format below. The paper needs to include a title page
as well as a bibliography. MLA tips and bibliography examples are located in the back of this
packet. It may be typed or written in blue or black ink with skipped lines.

Paragraph 1: Introduction:
* Introduce your volcano topic
* Thesis: Explain the content of your paper.

Paragraph 2: Location:
*Continent
* Country
* State/Province
* Nearest Major City
* Latitude and Longitude

Paragraph 3: Details:
* Type of volcano:
- name of volcano type
- how that type is formed
- appearance - what this type looks like
- characteristics
* Elevation (how tall)
* Age (how old)
*Frequency of Activity (how often it erupts its history)
* Type of eruption
* Last Known Activity (last eruption)

Paragraph 4: Human Environment Interaction:

Explain the positive and negative effects your volcano has had on the
people and to the environment around it.

Paragraph 5: Concluding Paragraph

* Restate Your Thesis
* Commentary What is the significance of your volcano to history?

Requirements for Powerpoint Presentation

 Use Microsoft Powerpoint, or Google Docs to create an informative and engaging

presentation.
Include a title page with: volcano name, your name, your teachers name, and date due.
All Guiding Questions answered
A graph (bar graph, circle graph, etc.)
Paraphrase or put into your own words ( do not copy and paste)
Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Easy-to-see and read text and background
A map showing the absolute location of your volcano (country and city)
Your slides/stages of presentation should be filled with appropriate graphics (a minimum of
two) that inform and engage your viewers. They should not distract from your presentation
but add to it.
Use bullet points to get your ideas across. Each statement should be long enough for
someone to understand without you reading it, but not too long to lose attention.
Use the same font, unless having a second font adds to the design/information you are
presenting.
You should be able to make conclusions based on your research about the volcano.
Use your background knowledge from class instruction and your other experiences to help
you with the research of your volcano.
Your last slide(s) should be a webliography. Here is where you keep track of all the
website information you used for your research. If you downloaded a picture from the
Internet, acknowledge the site you pulled it from.
Check your rubric to verify that you have covered all points.
Remember to practice your presentation. You do not want to read directly from your
slides. Your slides are more for a visual and to aid in your presentation. You should be the
volcanologist expert on your volcano.