Volcano Web Search
Mount St. Helens, Washington ~ May 18, 1980
Research a famous volcanic eruption
Objective
Students will research a famous volcanic eruption. At the end of this task, students will complete an
eruption fact sheet.
Web Search Directions
1. Students will work individually
2. Using the KWL chart, construct a list of things you already know about volcanoes (K), then
construct a list of things you would like to learn about volcanoes (W).
3. At the end of this assignment you will complete the KWL chart by constructing a list of what
you have learned (L).
4. Complete the eruption fact sheet.
5. Progress through the web search at your pace searching for the answers to all questions.
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Using the below list, choose a famous volcanic eruption to research.
1. 79 A.D. Mt. Vesuvius, Italy. This eruption buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculeneum.
Historically famous eruption
2. 1783 Laki, Iceland. Enormous eruption which killed thousands of people.
3. 1815 Tambora, Indonesia. The year that followed, 1816, has been called “The year without a
summer” this was due to the enormous amount of ash that fell blocking out the suns rays and
changing weather patterns in the northern hemisphere.
4. 1883 Krakatau, Indonesia. This eruption created tsunami’s so large that many of Krakatau’s
neighboring islands were completely destroyed.
5. 1902 Mt. Pelee, Martinique. Destroyed the large city of St. Pierre, killing nearly half its
residents.
6. 1912 Novarupta, Alaska. Largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.
7. 1980 Mount St. Helens, Washington. Deadliest volcano on record for the United States.
Directions for volcanic eruption web search
1. Choose a famous volcanic eruption from the list above.
2. Answer the following questions on your eruption.
a. What type of volcano caused this eruption?
b. What kind of damage did this volcano cause?
c. Was there loss of human life?
d. Did the explosion affect just the surrounding area or was there a global effect ?
e. Did the explosion cause surrounding land to be destroyed or was new land built up?
f. List five facts about the volcano. These facts can be either about the specific eruption
or on the volcano itself.
g. Have there been subsequent eruptions from the same volcano? If so, have they been as
severe?
3. Copy and paste on to your word document at least two images of either the eruption or the
volcano.
4. Locate, copy, and print a map showing the location of your eruption. This map should be on a
large scale so others can see in what country the volcano is located.
The following web sites are recommended for use during your web search:
1. http://kids.discovery.com/games/pompeii/pompeii.html - This is a great interactive web site
that allows you to “build” your own volcano. Use this web site to help you answer question #3
on page 1.
2. http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/
3. http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/
4. http://www.volcano.si.edu/index.cfm
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Scoring Rubric
Check off the items as you go, this will insure that you are keeping track of your work! Your volcanic
eruption web search needs to be submitted in word document format. Please no PowerPoint
presentations.
Volcanic eruption web search rubric – 50 pt. project
Choose a famous volcanic eruption from the list above. _____________________________
1. Answer the questions on your eruption. Questions must be answered in complete sentences.
(70 pts.)
2. _____ List five facts about the volcano. These facts can be either about the specific eruption
or on the volcano itself. 12 pts total (3pts./fact)
3. _____ Copy and paste on to your word document at least two images of either the eruption or
the volcano. 5pts total)
4. _____ Locate, copy, and print the location of your eruption on a map. 10 pts.
5. _____ Neatness counts!! 3pts.
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Name(s):
Date:
Volcanic Eruption Fact Sheet
1. What is a volcano?
2. What is the difference between lava and magma?
3. What are the three main categories of volcanoes? Use the space below to draw a simple diagram
of each type. Be sure to identify which volcano has been sketched in each box. You should
remember to use labels and descriptive text wherever appropriate.
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