Earth Science Volcano Research Paper
For completion of this course in June, you are to research and write a paper that will effectively
demonstrate the knowledge you have gained in the science of geology throughout this course. You are
to research a specific volcano from around the world that has been or is active with a history of
eruptions that has affected the physical and human landscape. You will choose from a list of these
volcanoes provided to you from Mr. Knowles, in which you will select the specific volcano to research
over the next 5 weeks. You are to include: name, general location and characteristics of the volcano
(what type and describe), its eruptive history in detail, as well as how it has affected and/or changed the
physical landscape and the human population who resides on its flanks. You will research these points
fully, so that you can write a 6-8 page paper on that subject. *Pictures must be included (separate from
the 6-8 page writing requirement) that will effectively enhance the material you are writing about, and
should pertain directly to the written information. Remember: Mr. Knowles is a visual guy! 
You need to include at least 4 sources in your paper at the minimum, only one of which may
come from an internet source. In addition, one source must be an accredited and scholarly source in the
field of geology (USGS or Geological Society of America).
There will be at least two days spent during class period in the library as you search topics of
interest to you and start in on researching and writing this paper. Please get started right away though
thinking and searching for your volcano and information about it, and not wait until that day is
scheduled. Please feel free to see Mr. Knowles as well to discuss ideas at an appropriate time out of
class, and I will be glad to help you “get the wheels spinning” on this assignment.
You will work on this assignment mostly out of class over the next 5 weeks. A handwritten
rough draft with over half of your paper written single spaced and paragraphed will be due by
Wednesday, May 18th (no late!): Mount St Helens Eruption 31st Anniversary! The final paper in
complete polished form will be due 1 1/2 weeks before the end of this quarter for final grade in this
course for the semester on Friday June 3rd. This is the end of the 4th quarter & the 2nd semester and this
course so... No late papers at all will be accepted!
The paper must include a bibliography in standard MLA style with all of your sources listed.
The paper should also include 4-6 pictures (title page picture is extra!) that effectively enhance, support,
and communicate the information within the paper itself (as stated above*), and must be included in the
sourcing of your references in the MLA bibliography. Using the citation guide in your planner, properly
cite your sources and add a brief description of each source that states:
 What information you got from the source
 Why you believe the source is credible
 What questions remain unanswered by the source that require further investigation
. The paper must be typed in 12-point font, double spaced, and be set in a small folder with plastic
cover (ONLY!) for turning in for a grade. No exceptions on these requirements! At the time of this
writing (subject to revision upwards), this assignment will be worth 200 points of your overall grade in
this course.
Any questions at all, please see Mr. Knowles at an appropriate time as soon as possible and we
will be happy to help you in any way that we can. Remember to also seek our Mr. Dillon on the
mechanics of writing this paper as you go since we are working together in collaboration on this project!