Volcano Webquest
In this Webquest, you will have a chance to learn more about volcanoes using the Internet as a window to the world.
Use the links provided to explore these amazing mountains of magma!
When Yellowstone Explodes:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/08/yellowstone/yellowstone-interactive
1. What is found beneath Yellowstone
National Park? (intro)
2. What is a caldera? (text glossary)
3. How hot is this caldera?
4. How much does Yellowstone’s caldera rise
each year?
5. What is found about 300 miles below the
surface (scroll down)?
6. How hot is the plume?
7. In what layer of the earth is a plume
located?
National Geographic – Volcanoes (individually or with partner)
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/forcesofnature/interactoive/index.html
 In the large gray box, click on the second icon – volcanoes (upper left corner)
 Use the information to answer the questions below. Click on the numbers above the picture to advance to the
next screen.
What is a Volcano
8. What are volcanoes?
9. Name 2 negative effects of volcanoes.
10. Name 2 positive effects of volcanoes.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Where Do Volcanoes Occur?
How many volcanoes are active today or
have been active in historical times?
Where are 90% of these volcanoes found?
What is the Ring of Fire?
Where do most volcanoes occur?
How do Volcanoes Form? (click on each of the 4 volcanoes to answer the questions below)
15. In what zone do island-arc volcanos occur?
16. What causes the formation of intraplate
volcanoes (hot spots)?
17. What types of volcanoes are formed at
spreading centers?
18. Name a volcanic island that was formed at
a spreading center.
19. Are subduction volcanoes typically quiet or
explosive?
*adapted from ucityschools.org
Volcano Webquest
Types of Volcanoes
20. List the 6 volcano types.
21. Choose one and explain it at more depth.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
How do Volcanoes Erupt?
What two important traits characterize
volcanoes?
What determines if an eruption will be
explosive or nonexplosive? Explain
What is viscosity?
What causes lava to be fluid and runny?
Names 2 ways volcanoes can erupt.
Make Your Own Volcano
27. Describe a high dissolved gas, high silica
content eruption.
28. Describe a low dissolved gas, low silica
content eruption.
US Geologic Survey- Volcanic Hazards (individually or with partner)
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/


The USGS issues volcano alerts in regards to the danger of an imminent volcano eruption.
“Green volcanoes pose no threat; “yellow” volcanoes could pose a threat in the far future, “orange” volcanoes
pose an imminent threat, and “red” volcanoes are currently erupting.
29. How many volcanoes are green?
Name 2 of them.
30. How many volcanoes are yellow?
Name 2 of them.
31. How many volcanoes are orange?
What is its name? Where is it located?
BONUS- Google Earth
Locate one volcano from each of the volcanic hazard lists above. For each one list the name, location, and
geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude). One bonus point for each one completed (maximum of 3).
*adapted from ucityschools.org