VOLCANO PROJECT
Volcanoes come in all shapes and sizes with varying degrees of activity and, therefore, notoriety. As you will learn,
volcanoes are not always big cone-shaped mountains that spew out lava in giant explosions. As such, each of you will be
assigned a volcano from a list of the more notable events in history. Gather information on your assigned volcano. Once
you have gathered enough information to answer the questions below, you will prepare a presentation for the class. This
presentation may be in the form of a poster or model of your volcano. Details of the actual method of presentation are left
to the discretion of the “artist”. However, you will be expected to provide the following information:
GENERAL INFO
Volcano Name
Type of Volcano
Location (Country, State, etc.)
Map Coordinates (Lat/Long)
Elevation of Summit (height)
Crater Dimensions
Volume (amt. of magma it could hold)
General Description of area
ERUPTIONS
First Eruption
Most famous eruption
Last Eruption
Duration of Eruption
Eruption Type
General Description (amt of damage, severity, # people
killed, area covered)
Pictures (Must choose 2 if doing poster)
Picture of your volcano in present condition
Picture of your volcano prior to eruption
Picture of your volcano during eruption
Picture of effects of your volcano after eruption
If doing a poster:
 Prepare a poster no smaller than
17”x22”. Display boards may also
be used.
 Poster should be neat and
organized.
 Creative use of varied materials is
strongly suggested.
 In addition to the photos, also
include a diagram of the volcano
with the parts listed below labeled.






If doing a model:
 Be sure model represents your
assigned volcano
Does not have to function, although that would be a
bonus.
Be sure to place on a stable material for display.
Consider use of a 4-sided box (Bottom & 3 sides)
for display of additional information
Creative use of varied materials is strongly
suggested.
Parts of volcano can be labeled on a diagram and
on the model itself.
At least one photo should appear with the model.
Volcano Parts:
1. Magma chamber
2. Country rock
3. Conduit (pipe)
4. Base
5. Sill
6. Branch pipe
7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano
8. Flank
9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano
10. Throat
11. Parasitic cone
12. Lava flow
13. Vent
14. Crater
15. Ash cloud
Volcano Choices:
Tambora, Indonesia
Krakatau, Indonesia
Mount Pelee, Martinique
Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia
Unzen, Japan
Laki, Iceland
Kelut, Indonesia
Galunggung, Indonesia
Vesuvius, Italy
Papandayan, Indonesia
Lamington, Papua New Guinea
El Chichon, Mexico
Soufriere, St. Vincent
Oshima, Japan
Asama, Japan
Taal, Philippines
Mayon, Philippines
Agung, Indonesia
Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Pinatubo, Philippines
Komagatake, Japan
Mount Etna, Italy
Hibok-Hibok, Philippines
Mount Saint Helens, Washington
Mount Rainier, Washington
Mount Kilauea, Hawaii
Yellowstone, Wyoming
Here are some suggestions for making a model volcano.
Option #1
1. First we need to create the 'salt dough'. Mix 6 cups flour, 2 cups salt, 4 tablespoons cooking oil, and 2 cups of
water in a large bowl. Work the ingredients with your hands until smooth and firm. Add more water to the mixture
if needed.
2. Stand a soda bottle in the baking pan. Mold the salt dough around the bottle making sure you don't cover up the
bottle mouth or drop any dough into the bottle. Take your time on this step and build your volcano with as much
detail as you like.
3. Fill the bottle most of the way with warm water mixed with a little red food coloring.
4. Put 6 drops of liquid detergent into the bottle.
5. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
6. Slowly pour vinegar into the bottle and jump back quick!
Notice the red 'lava' that flows out of your volcano. This happens because of the baking soda and vinegar mixture. Mixing
baking soda and vinegar produces a chemical reaction in which carbon dioxide gas is created - the same gas that bubbles
in a real volcano. The gas bubbles build in the bottle, forcing the liquid 'lava' mixture of the bottle and down the sides of
your volcano.
Option #2
What you will need:
a soda bottle
1/4 cup (60 ml) water
1 Tablespoon (15 ml) baking soda
1/4 cup (60 ml) vinegar
a square of toilet tissue
a few drops of red food coloring
a few drops of liquid dishwashing
detergent
modeling clay in dark gray and red (or
dirt)
box to build model in
model trees, etc. for the surroundings
How to make your volcano
1. Build a mountain around the soda pop
bottle.
2. Put the water, soap, food coloring and
vinegar in the pop bottle.
3. Wrap the baking soda in the toilet tissue and twist the ends to make a little packet.
4. When you are ready to make the volcano erupt, drop the packet of soda into the bottle. The acid of the vinegar and the
base of the baking soda combine to foam, froth and erupt.
For a nice volcano model, use grey clay to build the cone, and add red clay in rivulets down the side to look like lava
streams.
Additional suggestions:
http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_models/strato.html
http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_models/shield.html
http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_models/three_d.html
http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_models/clay.html
http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_models/explosive.html
http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_models/electric/electric_volcano.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001393/volcanoes/directions.htm
http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/VOLCANO/PAPER_MACHE.html
Grading Rubric
This is a guideline for grading your project. It is provided to give you an idea of there areas that will be
considered when evaluating your project. Please read this and consider all the areas before starting your
project. Possibly have someone grade your project according to this chart as you go so that you can consider if
you are going in the right direction.
CATEGORY
5
4
3
Student Info Included
All items included
(Name, Date, Period)
General Info Included All 8 items included
One item missing or
inaccurate
2
1
0
One item missing
Two items missing
No info
provided
Two items missing or Three items missing or
inaccurate
inaccurate
More than 3 items missing
or inaccurate
No info
provided
NOTE: Types of volcanoes will include cinder cone, composite (strato), shield, caldera, and lava domes. Other names may be possible as some volcanoes are in
multiple categories. Location and coordinates should be specific. Dimensions are available for all of the listed volcanoes. General information might include a
description of the surroundings. Is it in a populated area? Etc.
Eruption Information All 6 items included
At least 4 items are
Half the information is One 2 items included and
included and accurate included or accurate accurate
Minimal or no information No info
included or accurate
provided
NOTE: Some of the dates of eruptions may be the same. For example, the first eruption may be the most famous. It is possible that the volcano is currently erupting.
Eruption types will be Strombolian, Vulcanian, Vesuvian, Pelean, Hawaiian, subterranean, or plinian. Include details about its most notable eruption (date, severity, #
people killed, etc.)
Volcano Diagram
Clear, accurate
diagram; with all 15
parts shown.
Diagram is included; Diagram is included;
Diagram is included; 3-5
11-14 of parts clear
6-10 parts clear
labeled parts.
and accurately shown. and accurately shown.
Diagram has less than 3
parts labeled.
No info
provided
Very disorganized and
No
poorly prepared. Lines not
suggestions
straight. Spacing is sloppy.
followed for
Overall Presentation
Writing is hastily done.
organization
May have been done in
and neatness
homeroom.
NOTE: Plan out the presentation. Decide where you will place all the information around the actual artistic area. Make sure the information will fit before you start.
Use a ruler, compass, or other materials to make straight lines, curves, or circles. Take measurements to center information or space it appropriately.
Not organized. Not all info
Layout is planned and Info could be better
Clear, neat, organized.
fits properly. Some attempt
organized. Writing is organized. Writing is
Layout well planned.
to make it work. Writing
not neat
sloppy
and lines are hastily done.
Use of Creativity
Various materials are
used for effect.
Attention to detail
obvious. Good use of
color.
All 3/3
Some use of materials,
attention to detail,
and/or use of color.
Some 3/3
Moderate use of varied
materials, attention to
detail, and/or color.
Minimal 3/3
Minimal use of either varied No use of either varied
materials, attention to
materials, attention to detail, No creativity
detail, or color.
or color.
0/3
Some 1-2/3
Only 1-2/3
NOTE: Use of various materials will drastically help with the presentation. Adding dimension, texture, and realism will be effective. Suggestions might include cutting
out letters to attach, framing pictures on paper before attaching, using foam letters, using toothpick flags for labels, using string, etc. You might also consider a
dimensional volcano even if doing a poster. If doing a model (and maybe a poster) consider use of trees, lakes, grass, cellophane, figurines, and other materials to add
realism (found in most arts & crafts stores). Attention to detail will be measured in your depiction of the volcano (or volcano diagram). Also evaluated will be the
appropriate use of materials such as glue or tape (staples not recommended). Use of color for accuracy as well as eye-catching effect is suggested.
________ / 30
________ / 24
________ / 18
________ / 12
________ / 6
FINAL GRADE
Add up the total points in each section and divide by 30. Multiply this number by 100 and you will have your
final percentage on the project. Any extra credit will be explained to the class as well.
Grade Sheet
Please complete this grade sheet and turn in with project. Failure to turn in this grade sheet will
deduct 10 points from your project grade.
Name:
Period:
Date:
Name of Volcano:
Type of Project:
Due Date:
Poster
Model
Must be turned in to Room 208 (or Room 300) by
1:50 PM, January 30, 2007 (Extra credit date: 1:50 PM, January 23, 2007)
Date Submitted:
CATEGORY
Time Submitted:
Total Points
COMMENTS
Student Info Included
(Name, Date, Period)
General Info Included
Eruption Information
Volcano Diagram
Overall Presentation
Use of Creativity
Subtotal:
(Add above. Divide by 30)
Turned in on or before
Extra Credit Date
+ 10
TOTAL GRADE:
Do Not Write Below This Line
STUDENT RECEIPT
Date received:
Received By:
Time received: