Volcano activity kids: Fun Hands-on Volcano Activities You Can Do at Home

Fun Hands-on Volcano Activities You Can Do at Home

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Tweens will love these volcano activities. They’re some of the easy science experiments that should be a regular part of your homeschool.

One of the best known (and go-to) projects for older kids has to be the classic baking soda volcano. Although it’s frequently studied as part of earth sciences, it also fits into other subjects like middle school geography and ancient history.

It seems every year we find a reason to break out the vinegar, baking soda, and red food coloring so we can make our own volcano. Who knew there were so many ways to study this geological marvel at home?

Not sure where to start? Keep reading for various ways you can add a volcano science project to your homeschool lesson plans.

Kids of all ages will have a ton of fun with these ideas.

Table of Contents

Volcano Activities

Hands-on activities like the ones below are the perfect way for older students to learn about volcanoes and see an example of a volcanic reaction.

Keep reading for a free printable for a simple volcano experiment that will make it easy for you to do this project at home with your middle schoolers.

How Are Volcanoes Formed?

The Earth’s crust is cracked and broken into pieces, called tectonic plates, that are constantly shifting, causing friction. Therefore, most volcanoes form where two plates meet. They’re formed when the molten rock (magma) from beneath the Earth’s surface comes up through an opening in the crust.

A volcanic eruption occurs when that melted rock (now called lava) and gas shoot up through the opening and spillover.

There are two types of eruptions. Lava can explode through the opening, shooting debris miles into the air, or it can be effusive, like our experiment, where lava just pours or flows out, called lava flow.

Volcanic ash is made up of tiny pieces of rock, minerals, and glass.

It forms when a volcano erupts and the hot gases escape violently into the air. The force of this breaks the magma into smaller pieces and shoots it into the air where it cools and turns into fragments of rock and glass.

Ash can also be made when hot magma touches water during an eruption. When this happens, the water boils very quickly and shatters the magma.

Different Kinds of Volcanoes

There are three types of volcanoes – cinder cone, composite, and shield.

Cinder Cone Volcano

A cinder cone volcano is made up of explosive lava that builds up around a vent. It has very steep sides and a crater at the top, which is usually filled with ash and rocks called cinders.

Cinder cone volcanoes tend to be relatively small compared to other types of volcanoes.

Composite Volcano

A composite volcano is made up of many alternating layers of lava and ash. They usually have steep sides and can be larger than other volcanoes.

Because of the different gasses in the magma chamber, composite volcanoes often produce explosive eruptions.

Shield Volcano

A shield volcano is a type of volcano that’s made up of layers of lava. It has a gently sloping shape because the lava that makes it is often very fluid. This gives it a slope instead of a steep peak.

Shield volcanoes are some of the largest in the world.

Ready to build your own erupting volcano?

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Volcano Project for Kids

The most exciting way to learn is to build your own model volcano. While there are different ways to go about it, this is how to build a simple soda bottle volcano.

You’ll need:

• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons baking soda
• Red coloring – Jello or Kool-Aid powder (you just need a small amount)
• Empty and clean 12 oz. plastic water bottle
• Funnel

Mix the red coloring and baking soda in a small bowl until it’s pink. Use a funnel to put this dry mixture into the bottle. When you’re ready for it to erupt, add in the vinegar and watch the lava ooze out.

The idea is to get the vinegar in as quickly as possible.

If you want a bigger eruption from your vinegar volcano, you can use more of the vinegar and baking soda mixture or even a larger bottle.

Also, you can add some dish soap into the bottle before you pour in the vinegar as another foaming ingredient. Want to use red food coloring instead of the crystals? Like the soap, add it to the bottle before the vinegar.

White Distilled VinegarBaking SodaJell-O CherryPlastic Funnel

So how does it all work?

It’s a basic chemical reaction. When the vinegar and baking soda combine, they react to each other, creating carbon dioxide.

This gas quickly spreads and expands, but there isn’t enough room in the bottle for it to spread out like it wants to, so it follows the path of least resistance, the opening. It leaves the bottle fast, causing an “eruption.”

Volcano Experiment

Here are step-by-step instructions for this easy volcano experiment that you can print and use, along with a scientific method sheet.

Use them together to round out this chemistry lab.

How to Make a Paper Mâché Volcano 

To create a more realistic looking volcano, have your kids use paper mâché or a flour mixture to create a volcano shape around the empty bottle.

1. Glue the bottle onto a base (scrap piece of wood, old baking tray, plastic cutting board).
2. Use chicken wire to build the frame of a volcano around the bottle. Make sure to leave the opening clear. Don’t forget to add in some bumps and craters for a more realistic look.
3. Cover the wire in paper mâché. Allow to dry completely.
4. Paint the volcano with acrylic paint.
5. Follow the directions above to make your volcano erupt.

Acrylic PaintInstant Paper MacheChicken Wire NettingFoam Brush

How to Make a Volcano With Flour and Water

1. In a bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, 1 cup of water, and 2 tablespoons of canola oil.
2. Stir together with a spoon until it’s mixed well.
3. Add drops of food coloring to the dough to make it look more like a volcano.
4. Glue the bottle onto a base (a scrap piece of wood, old baking tray, plastic cutting board).
5. Use the dough to start molding a volcanic cone around the bottle, leaving the opening clear.
6. Allow to dry completely.
7. If you’d like, paint the volcano with acrylic paint.
8. Follow the directions above to make your volcano erupt.

This short video that walks through a volcano science experiment.

Build a Volcano Kit

If your teens are looking for an easier way to build a volcano, consider buying a volcano making kit.

It’s a great way for kids to learn how a volcano works, without a lot of time and planning on your part.

Ultimate Volcano KitBuild & Color Your Own VolcanoUnder Water Volcano EruptionVolcano Science Lab with Plastic Volcano

Volcano Project Ideas

Ready for even more fun ideas? Here are some things you can add to your study of volcanoes.

• Use maps to locate U.S. volcanoes and current activity alerts.
• Watch a simple experiment to see how a caldera (large volcanic depression) is formed.
• Build a Venn Diagram while learning about the different types of volcanoes.
• Use these worksheets as part of your volcanic and geothermic studies.
• Make an underwater volcano.

• Add a volcano study to your Ancient History lesson plans.
• Make a volcano in a cup with erupting wax to show how underwater volcanoes erupt and their hot by-products are cooled immediately.
• Bake chocolate volcano cupcakes.
• Build a volcano while reading Journey to the Center of the Earth. Give this ketchup and baking soda one a try.
• Add some sound to your DIY volcano by mixing in some pop rocks.

If you’ve never made a volcano as part of your homeschool science or geography lesson plans, it’s time to break out the supplies.

This classic experiment is the perfect way to study these amazing natural disasters.

What is your family’s favorite volcano activity?

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I love homeschooling! Learning is a way of life for our family. Most days you will find us exploring our Central Florida community, having fun while learning. I am constantly looking for new and interactive ways to engage my older children.

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30 Fantastic Volcano Activities for Preschool

A color-by-number worksheet is always a fun filler activity for any theme. Download this free template and keep it on hand for kids that finish their arts-and-crafts volcanoes early.

Learn more: My Teaching Station

15. Inside the Volcano

Volcano explosions are fun but seeing the inner workings of these natural marvels is just as fascinating. Build a volcano cone around a plastic container and add secondary vents to show kids that the lava comes from all angles of the actual volcanoes on earth.

Learn more: 123 Homeschool for Me

16. Scrap Paper Diagram

Tissue paper makes a great replacement for lava on a craft picture. Let students write down the basic parts of an erupting volcano or pre-print the names on labels for them to stick on the image.

Learn more: Paula’s Primary Classroom

17. Watch an Educational Video

The popular Dr. Binocs show is a great youtube series for pre-schoolers. The show gives easy-to-understand information about all-natural disasters including volcanoes.

Learn more: Peekaboo Kidz

18. The Floor is Lava

Science lessons can be taxing on young minds so it is important to diversify between STEM activities and some physical play. The floor is lava is a fun way to incorporate the theme in an active lesson.

Learn more: The Many Little Joys

19. Earth Layer Craft

Volcanoes are more than just conical natural disasters waiting to happen. There is a lot happening beneath the surface that kids should be aware of. This papercraft gives them a clear view of all the complexities below the bubbling volcano.

Learn more: Homeschool Preschool

20. Watermelon Volcano

When a small volcanic explosion just won’t cut it, but you are too short on time to build a big paper mache version, head to the grocery store for the perfect replacement. Hollow out a watermelon to make a huge explosion of baking soda and white vinegar. Kids love this giant volcano!

Learn more: Preschool Play and Learn

21. Play-Doh Earth Layers

If you want a more hands-on way to show kids the layers below the surface, try making an Earth out of play-doh. Kids can clearly see the molten core in the middle that slowly makes its way out to the crust when a volcano erupts.

Learn more: We Are Teachers

22. Fizzy Paint

Mix art and science with this crafty idea. Mix baking soda with washable paint and paint lava onto a volcano. Once the masterpiece is done, simply drop some white vinegar on the picture and watch the lava fizzle!

Learn more: The Craft at Home Family

23. Volcano Mosaic

Kids love ripping up colored paper into all the little pieces needed for this craft. Print out the parts of a volcano and let kids label it or let them write it as revision if they are able to.

Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers

24. Read a Book

This charming book takes the theme of volcanoes and applies it to a deeper lesson that kids can apply to themselves. Emotions sometimes make them feel like little volcanoes just wanting to bubble up.

Learn more: Julia Cook

25. Clay Tube Volcano

Volcanoes are made bigger as lava spills over the edge for millennia and now kids can create a mini version to recreate this phenomenon.

Learn more: Toddler Approved 

26. Landform Diorama

The land around a volcano is equally as interesting so why not have kids make a diorama of the whole landscape. Egg cartons make the perfect surface structures and a little bit of paint quickly shows what is a river and what is a mountain.

Learn more: A Little Pinch of Perfect

 27. Cheerio Volcano

After a long day of volcano-themed learning, kids will love digging into this yummy peanut butter cheerio treat. Top it off with red icing to complete the cute volcano.

Learn more: Mrs. Plemons’ Kindergarten

28. Volcano Hats

Why not let kids wear fun hats while learning about volcanoes? These cardboard hats only need a little tissue paper at the top and BOOM, you have a volcano hat!

Learn more: Natalie Menke

29. Pop-Rock Volcano

Spruce up a boring old vinegar and soda volcano by adding pop rocks into the mix. They add a super fun noisy twist to this classic kids’ craft. See if you can add other ingredients for a bigger explosion.

Learn more: Inspirational Laboratories

30. Magma Demonstration

The concept of magma breaking through the earth’s crust is difficult for kids to wrap their minds around but a simplified demonstration will help them understand it better. Use a tube of toothpaste and press it through a yogurt tub full of loose dirt. Pro Tip: use cinnamon toothpaste for a red version or drop some red food coloring into the tube before the demonstration.

Learn more: Learn Play Imagine

Article about volcanoes for children. Volcanoes

Purpose:

familiarization of preschoolers with a natural phenomenon – a volcano.

Tasks:

• Build awareness of volcanoes, the dangers they pose, and their benefits.
• Encourage children to independently form conclusions based on the results of the experiment, based on the early knowledge gained.
• To cultivate interest in cognitive research activities, purposefulness, perseverance, independence.
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Vocabulary:

mountain, volcano, crater, lava.

Preliminary work:

• Cycle GCD “Mysteries of Nature” (stones, mountains)
• Reading the children’s encyclopedia “Everything about Everything”, the Great Encyclopedia “Why, looking at photographs, illustrations with various volcanoes. Conversations about volcanoes with facts. Making a model of a volcano.

Material:

Volcano illustrations (electronic presentation), volcano model, eruption mixture (baking soda, red paint, liquid soap, vinegar)
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STROKE

Educator: I will read you a riddle, and you try to guess what will be discussed today:

I spit fire and lava

I am a dangerous giant!

I am glorious with bad glory,

What is my name?

(Volcano)

— That’s right, today we will talk about such a mysterious, mysterious, amazing and formidable natural phenomenon as a volcano.

Guys, remember what a volcano is?

(This is a large, steep-sided mountain that first emits smoke, then rocks, and then erupts lava.)
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TEACHER: That’s right, guys. You have already learned a little about volcanoes. And today I will tell you the legend of the volcano. (slide)

“There lived a god named Vulcan. And he liked blacksmithing: to stand at the anvil, to beat iron with a heavy hammer, to fan the fire in the furnace. He built himself a forge inside a tall mountain. The mountain was right in the middle of the sea. When Vulcan worked with a hammer, the mountain trembled from top to bottom, and the roar and rumble carried far around. Hot stones, fire and ashes flew from a hole in the mountain top with a deafening roar. “The volcano is working,” people said with fear, and they went to live away from this place. Since then, people, all fire-breathing mountains have been called volcanoes.”
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– Here is an interesting legend about the origin of the name volcano.

Now let’s look at the volcano. (model volcano)

What shape is a volcano? (cone).

There is a crater at the very top of the volcano. The crater is a huge bowl with steep slopes, and at the bottom a hole that goes deep into the ground is the mouth of a volcano,

When volcanoes “sleep” they differ little from other mountains. But sometimes they “wake up” and then, a strong underground rumble begins, flames, ashes, hot stones, volcanic bombs burst out of their peaks. They are shrouded in smoke, explosions sound, and a real fiery stream – lava – flows along the slopes. Lava is molten, very hot rocks. Lava rises from underground along the vent of the volcano and ejection comes from the crater. The temperature inside the Earth is so high that the stones turn from solid to liquid. When pieces of lava harden, new stones are obtained.
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(Loud music playing).

Guys, it seems that our volcano (preliminary model of the volcano) is “coming to life”, let’s move away from the volcano.

(The teacher carefully pours vinegar into the prepared mixture. Children watch the volcanic eruption)

Volcanoes began to “volcano” –

Spewing lava from the vent.

Lava flowed down the slopes

And the earth was badly burned.

After centuries, the evil coughed

Volcano and ash and ashes.
nine0053 The volcano is thundering, the volcano is puffing!

How menacing he looks now!

But now he began to get tired –

The fire in him began to fade.

The last time I breathed fire

And fell asleep for decades.

Volcanoes erupt in different ways. Sometimes they seem to explode, throwing magma up and to the sides. A huge mountain is shaking from a terrible roar, a huge cloud of smoke and ash rises above it, stone rain showers the slopes. And it happens, it follows “calmly”. Interesting?!

Do you want to do an experiment on your own, in the laboratory: a volcanic eruption? Professor All-Know will help us here too. He prepared a scheme for this experiment for us (the teacher explains the sequence of the experiment using the schemes)
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And now let’s go to the “amazing discoveries” laboratory. There we have everything ready for experiments.

Let’s see:

— From what shall we make the base of the volcano? (from the cone that we made in advance)

— What will we make the mouth of the volcano out of? You can insert an empty plastic jar inside the cone.

We put all this on trays.

Using the scheme of the experiment, we begin to work.

– Pour a spoonful of soda. Adding red paint. 5 drops of washing liquid. And now attention!
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I have this liquid with a special sign. What does it mean? (you can’t use it yourself) this is vinegar, you can only pour it for an adult. I will add it myself when you have everything ready.

The caregiver adds vinegar to the prepared mixes.

TEACHER: What are you observing? Watch your volcano erupt. He ejaculates calmly.

Well done guys, you were attentive, worked carefully and everything turned out great! Now you know what a volcano is and how it erupts?
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And now we will draw a volcano and fill in our young explorer folder on the topic “Mysteries of Nature: Volcanoes”.

(Children draw, the teacher selects drawings suitable for filling out the “Young Explorer Folder.”)

References:

1. Tugusheva GP, Chistyakova AE Experimental activity of children of middle and senior preschool age: Methodological guide. – St. Petersburg: CHILDHOOD-PRESS, 2010. – 128p.
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In ancient Rome, the name Vulcan was given to a mighty god, patron of fire and blacksmithing. We call volcanoes geological formations on the surface of the land or on the ocean floor, through which lava comes to the surface from the deep interior of the earth.

Frequently accompanied by earthquakes and tsunamis, major volcanic eruptions have had a significant impact on human history.

Geographic feature. Significance of volcanoes

During a volcanic eruption, magma comes to the surface through cracks in the earth’s crust, forming lava, volcanic gases, ash, volcanic rocks and pyroclastic flows. Despite the danger posed to humans by these mighty natural objects, it was thanks to the study of magma, lava and other products of volcanic activity that we managed to gain knowledge about the structure, composition and properties of the lithosphere. nine0007

It is believed that thanks to volcanic eruptions, proteinaceous life forms could appear on our planet: eruptions released carbon dioxide and other gases necessary for the formation of the atmosphere. And volcanic ash, settling, became an excellent fertilizer for plants due to the potassium, magnesium and phosphorus contained in it.

The role of volcanoes in regulating the climate on Earth is invaluably important: during an eruption, our planet “lets off steam” and cools, which largely saves us from the consequences of global warming. nine0007

Characteristics of volcanoes

Volcanoes differ from other mountains not only in their composition, but also in their strict external outlines. From the craters at the top of the volcanoes, deep narrow ravines formed by streams of water stretch down. There are also entire volcanic mountains formed by several nearby volcanoes and their eruptions.

However, a volcano is by no means always a mountain breathing fire and heat. Even active volcanoes can look like straight cracks on the surface of the planet. There are especially many such “flat” volcanoes in Iceland (the most famous of them, Eldgja, has a length of 30 km). nine0007

Types of volcanoes

Depending on the degree of volcanic activity, there are: active
, conditionally active
and extinct (“sleeping”)
volcanoes. The division of volcanoes according to activity is very conditional. There are cases when volcanoes, considered extinct, began to show seismic activity and even erupt.

Depending on the shape of volcanoes, there are:

• Stratovolcanoes
  – classic “fire mountains” or volcanoes of the central type, cone-shaped, with a crater at the top. nine0016

• Volcanic fissures or fissures
  – faults in the earth’s crust, through which lava comes to the surface.
• Calderas
  – depressions, volcanic cauldrons formed as a result of the collapse of a volcanic peak.
• Panel
  – so called because of the high fluidity of the lava, which, flowing for many kilometers in wide streams, forms a kind of shield.
• Lava domes –
  are formed by the accumulation of viscous lava above the vent. nine0016

• Cinder or tephra cones
  – have the shape of a truncated cone, consist of loose materials (ash, volcanic stones, boulders, etc.).
• Complex volcanoes.
  

In addition to terrestrial lava volcanoes, there are underwater
and mud
(spewing liquid mud, not magma) Underwater volcanoes are more active than terrestrial ones, through them 75% of the lava erupted from the bowels of the Earth is ejected.

Types of volcanic eruptions

Depending on the viscosity of the lavas, the composition and amount of eruption products, there are 4 main types of volcanic eruptions.

Effusive or Hawaiian type
– relatively quiet eruption of lava formed in craters. The gases released during the eruption form lava fountains from drops, filaments and lumps of liquid lava.

Extrusion or dome type
– accompanied by the release of gases in large quantities, leading to explosions and emissions of black clouds from ash and lava debris. nine0007

Mixed or Strombolian type
– copious lava outflow, accompanied by small explosions with ejection of pieces of slag and volcanic bombs.

Hydroexplosive type
– characteristic of underwater volcanoes in shallow water, accompanied by a large amount of steam released when magma contacts water.

The largest volcanoes in the world

The highest volcano in the world is Ojos del Salado
, located on the border of Chile with Argentina. Its height is 6891 m, the volcano is considered extinct. Among the active fire mountains, Llullaillaco is the highest.
– volcano of the Chilean-Argentine Andes, 6,723 m high.
on the island of Hawaii (height – 4,169 m, volume – 75,000 km 3). Mauna Loa
is also one of the most powerful and active volcanoes in the world: since its “awakening” in 1843, the volcano has erupted 33 times. The largest volcano on the planet is a huge volcanic massif Tamu
(area 260,000 km 2), located on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

But the most powerful eruption for the entire historical period was produced by the “low” Krakatoa
(813 m) in 1883 in the Malay Archipelago in Indonesia. Vesuvius
(1281) – one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, the only active volcano in continental Europe – is located in southern Italy near Naples. Exactly Vesuvius
destroyed Pompeii in 79.

Africa’s highest volcano is Kilimanjaro (5895), and in Russia – the two-peak stratovolcano Elbrus
(Northern Caucasus) (5642 m – western peak, 5621 m – eastern).

Volcanoes are one of the most amazing and mysterious geological formations on Earth. However, many of us have only a superficial understanding of them. What is the nature of volcanism? Where and how does a volcano form?

How is a volcanic eruption formed?

How and why the processes are hidden in the bowels of the Earth. In the process of magma accumulation, a large amount of thermal energy is generated. The temperature of the magma is quite high, but it is not able to melt because the crust presses on it from above. If the layers of the earth’s crust put less pressure on the magma, the red-hot magma becomes liquid. It is gradually saturated with gases, melts rocks on its way and in this way makes its way to the surface of the earth. nine0007

If the volcanic vent is already filled with solidified and hardened lava, then the eruption will not occur until the pressure of the magma is sufficient to push out this plug. always accompanied by an earthquake. Ashes can be thrown to a height of up to several tens of kilometers.

Volcanoes are mountain-like formations from which hot magma erupts. How is a volcano formed? In the presence of cracks in the earth’s crust, red-hot magma erupts to its surface under pressure. The slopes of the volcano are formed as a result of subsidence of rocks, lava, ash near the vent. nine0007

On August 24, 1979, people looked at their patron in horror and could not understand why they had angered the gods so much. How did it happen that their protector suddenly began to spew fire that spread across the ground and destroyed everything in its path? The inhabitants of Pompeii already knew: unexpectedly for everyone, a volcano woke up. What is it, what are volcanoes and why do they suddenly wake up, we will consider today in this article.

What is a volcano?

A volcano is a kind of formation on the surface of the earth’s crust, which from time to time is capable of spewing pyroclastic flows (a mixture of ash, gas and stones), volcanic gases, and also lava. It is in zones of volcanic activity that opportunities for the use of geothermal energy open up. nine0007

Types of volcanoes

Scientists have adopted a classification of volcanoes into active, dormant and extinct.

1. Volcanoes that erupt during a historical period of time are called active. It is thanks to them that one can understand what a volcano is and the mechanisms that make it work, because direct observation of the process provides much more information than the most thorough excavations.
2. Dormant volcanoes are those that are not currently active, however, there is a high probability of their awakening. nine0016
3. Extinct volcanoes are those that were active in the past, but today the probability of their eruption is equal to zero.

What shape are volcanoes?

If you ask a student what shape a volcano has, he will undoubtedly say that it looks like a mountain. And he will be right. The volcano really has the shape of a cone, which formed during its eruption.

The volcanic cone has a vent – a kind of outlet channel through which lava rises during an eruption. Quite often there is more than one such channel. It may have several branches that serve to bring volcanic gases to the surface. The crater always ends in a crater. It is into it that all materials are thrown during the eruption. An interesting fact is that the mouth is open only during the active period of the volcano. The rest of the time it is closed, until the next manifestation of activity. nine0007

The time during which the volcanic cone formed, individually. Basically, it depends on how much material the volcano throws out during its eruption. Some take 10,000 years to do so, while others can form it in a single eruption.

Sometimes the opposite happens as well. During an eruption, the volcanic cone collapses, and a large depression, the caldera, forms in its place. The depth of such a depression is at least one kilometer, and the diameter can reach 16 km. nine0007

Why do volcanoes erupt?

What is a volcano, we figured it out, but why does it erupt?

As you know, our planet does not consist of a single piece of stone. It has its own structure. Above – a thin solid “shell”, which scientists call the lithosphere. Its thickness is only 1% of the radius of the globe. In practice, this means between 80 and 20 kilometers, depending on whether it is land or the bottom of the oceans.

There is a mantle layer under the lithosphere. Its temperature is so high that the mantle is constantly in a liquid, or rather viscous, state. In the center is the solid core of the earth. nine0007

As a result of the fact that the lithospheric plates are in constant motion, magma chambers can arise. When they break out to the surface of the earth’s crust, a volcanic eruption begins.

What is magma?

Here, perhaps, it is necessary to explain what magma is and what chambers it can form.

Being in constant motion (albeit invisible to the naked eye of a person), lithospheric plates can collide or crawl into each other. Most often, the plates, the dimensions of which are larger, “win” those whose thickness is less. Therefore, the latter are forced to sink into the boiling mantle, the temperature of which can reach several thousand degrees. Naturally, at this temperature, the plate begins to melt. This molten rock with gases and water vapor is called magma. In its structure, it is more liquid than the mantle, and also lighter. nine0007

How does a volcano erupt?

Due to the named features of the structure of magma, it begins to slowly rise and accumulate in places called foci. Most often, such foci are places of a break in the earth’s crust.

Gradually, magma occupies all the free space of the chamber and, having no other way out, begins to rise along cracks in the earth’s crust. If magma finds a weak point, it does not miss the opportunity to break out to the surface. At the same time, thin sections of the earth’s crust break through. This is how a volcano erupts. nine0007

Places of volcanic activity

So what places on the planet, taking into account volcanic activity, can be considered the most dangerous? Where are the most dangerous volcanoes in the world located? Let’s figure it out. ..

1. Merapi (Indonesia)
   . It is the largest volcano in Indonesia and also the most active. He does not let the locals forget about him even for one day, constantly releasing smoke from his crater. At the same time, small eruptions occur every two years. But large ones do not have to wait long: they happen every 7-8 years. nine0016

2. If you want to know where volcanoes are, you should probably take a trip to Japan. This is truly a “paradise” of volcanic activity. Take, for example, Sakurajima
   . Since 1955, this volcano has been a constant concern for the locals. Its activity does not even think of decreasing, and the last major eruption occurred not so long ago – in 2009. A hundred years ago, the volcano had its own island, but thanks to the lava that he spewed out of himself, he managed to connect with the Osumi Peninsula. nine0016

3. Aso
   . And Japan again. This country is constantly suffering from volcanic activity, and the Aso volcano is proof of this. In 2011, an ash cloud appeared over it, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich was more than 100 kilometers. Since that time, scientists have been constantly recording tremors, which can only indicate one thing: the Aso volcano is ready for a new eruption.
4. Etna
   . This is the largest volcano in Italy, which is interesting in that it has not only the main crater, but also many small ones located along its slope. In addition, Etna is distinguished by enviable activity – small eruptions occur every two to three months. It must be said that the Sicilians have long been accustomed to such a neighborhood, and are not afraid to populate the slopes. nine0016

5. Vesuvius
   . The legendary volcano is almost half the size of its Italian brother, but this does not prevent him from setting many of his own records. Vesuvius, for example, is the volcano that destroyed Pompeii. However, this is not the only city that has suffered from his activity. According to scientists, Vesuvius destroyed cities that were not lucky enough to be close to its slopes more than 80 times. The last major eruption happened in 1944.

What is the highest volcano on the planet?

There are quite a lot of champions among the named volcanoes. But what can bear the title “The highest volcano on the planet”?

Keep in mind that when we say “highest” we don’t mean the height of the volcano above the surrounding area. This is the absolute height above sea level.

Thus, scientists call the Chilean Ojos del Salado the highest active volcano in the world. For a long time he was referred to as sleeping. This status of the Chilean allowed the Argentinean Lullaillaco to bear the title of “The Highest Volcano in the World”. However, at 19In 93, Ojos del Salado produced an ash ejection. After that, he was carefully examined by scientists who managed to find fumaroles (outlets of steam and gas) in his mouth. Thus, the Chilean changed his status, and, without knowing it, brought relief to many schoolchildren and teachers, for whom it is not always easy to pronounce the name Llullaillaco.

To be fair, Ojos del Salado does not have a high volcanic cone. It rises above the surface only 2000 meters. While the relative height of the Lullaillaco volcano is almost 2.5 kilometers. However, it is not for us to argue with scientists. nine0007

The whole truth about the Yellowstone volcano

You can’t boast that you know what a volcano is if you have never heard of Yellowstone, which is located in the USA. What do we know about him?

First of all, Yellowstone is not a high volcano, but for some reason it is called a supervolcano. What is the matter here? And why was it possible to discover Yellowstone only in the 60s of the last century, and even then with the help of satellites?

The fact is that the cone of Yellowstone collapsed after its eruption, resulting in the formation of a caldera. Given its gigantic size (150 km), it is no wonder that people could not see it from Earth. But the collapse of the crater does not mean that the volcano can be reclassified as dormant. nine0007

There is still a huge magma chamber under the Yellowstone crater. According to the calculations of scientists, its temperature exceeds 800 ° C. Thanks to this, many thermal springs have formed in Yellowstone, and, in addition, jets of steam, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide constantly come out to the surface of the earth.

Not much is known about the eruptions of this volcano. Scientists believe that there were only three of them: 2.1 million, 1.27 million and 640 thousand years ago. Given the frequency of eruptions, we can conclude that we may witness the following. I must say that if this really happens, the Earth will face the next Ice Age. nine0007

What troubles do volcanoes bring?

Even apart from the fact that Yellowstone may suddenly wake up, the eruptions that other volcanoes in the world can prepare for us cannot be called harmless either. They lead to huge destruction, especially if the eruption happened suddenly and there was no time to warn or evacuate the population.

The danger is not only lava, which can destroy everything in its path and cause fires. Do not forget about the poisonous gases that spread over vast areas. In addition, the eruption is accompanied by ash emissions, which can cover vast areas. nine0007

What to do if the volcano “comes to life”?

So, if you were at the wrong time and in the wrong place when the volcano suddenly woke up, what to do in such a situation?

First of all, you need to know that the speed of the lava is not that high, only 40 km/h, so it is quite possible to run away, or rather, leave it. This must be done in the shortest way, that is, perpendicular to its movement. If this is not possible for some reason, you need to seek shelter on a hill. It is necessary to take into account the likelihood of a fire, therefore, if possible, it is necessary to clean the shelter from ash and incandescent debris. nine0007

In open areas, a body of water can save you, although much depends on its depth and the force with which the volcano erupts. The photos that were taken after the eruption show that a person is often defenseless in front of such a powerful force.

If you are one of the lucky ones and your house survived the eruption, be prepared to spend at least a week there.

And most importantly, do not trust those who say that “this volcano has been sleeping for thousands of years.” As practice shows, any volcano can wake up (photos of the destruction confirm this), but there is not always someone to tell about it. nine0007

Mountains standing above channels and cracks in the earth’s crust are called volcanoes
.

Most often, volcanoes look like cone-shaped or domed mountains, on top of which there is a crater
, or funnel-shaped depression. Sometimes, as scientists say, the volcano “wakes up”, and then its eruption occurs.
. At the same time, molten substances of the Earth’s crust and mantle, called magma, come out to the Earth’s surface.
.

Eruption
is a series of strong and weak explosions and outpourings of lava
– mixtures of molten rocks. Volumes of erupted lava can reach several tens of cubic kilometers. Eruptions are long, which can be observed for several years and even centuries, and short-term, passing in a few hours. Their precursors include the following phenomena: an earthquake, a change in the composition of gases, sound (acoustic) drops, and others. nine0007

Those volcanoes that from time to time eject hot gases or steam from their vents are called active. Volcanoes that erupted relatively recently are also considered active. There are about 500 such volcanoes on Earth.

Many volcanoes behave quietly, giving no cause for concern. But one day the volcano can “wake up”, and then the consequences will be tragic. So it was with the Arenas volcano (4500 meters high), located 150 kilometers from Bogota, the capital of Colombia. The date of its last eruption was 159Year 5 Since then, it was considered extinct, at its foot the city of Armero was built. The misfortune happened on November 13, 1985. Powerful explosions melted snow and ice in the crater of the volcano and terrible streams of hot mud poured onto the town, whose inhabitants slept peacefully in their homes. After the eruption, only a layer of mud 5-6 meters thick remained. As a result of this eruption, 20 thousand people died.

There are mountain volcanoes, and there are also underwater volcanoes, which are completely hidden under water. “Waking up”, such volcanoes spew not only magma, but also entire fountains of water. nine0007

Read also…

• The world inside out (all issues) watch online
• CPC for older preschool children “These mysterious volcanoes or how a volcano erupts
• Barque “Kruzenshtern” – Legendary sailboats

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Spiridonova Marina – Methodical piggy bank

PURPOSE

:

like volcanoes . To introduce the profession of a scientist – volcanologist .
2. Form ideas about the types of volcanoes , the dangers they pose, and
also their benefit.
3. Encourage children to
independent formation of conclusions based on the results of the experiment based on
acquired early knowledge. nine0053 4. Raise interest in
cognitive and research activities, purposefulness,
perseverance, independence.

TASKS

:

1. Continue to expand and
clarify children’s ideas about the objective world.
2. Develop environmental
thinking and creative imagination in the process of experimental and research
activities.
3. Shaping the aesthetic
relation to objects and phenomena of the surrounding world.
4. Develop thinking
activity, communication skills, emotional responsiveness, tolerance in
the course of research activities. nine0053 5. Fix skill
reveal the properties of materials.
6. Introduce preschoolers to
natural environment, to form an interest in natural phenomena.
ACTIVATE DICTIONARY

CHILDREN

:
Crater, mineral, hard, dense, does not absorb, volcano , anvil, lava, vent, mountain.

PRELIMINARY WORK

:

encyclopedia “All about everything”, Big Encyclopedia
“Why”.
2. Examination of photographs, illustrations with various
species volcanoes .
3. Talks about volcanoes p.
providing interesting facts.
MATERIALS FOR LESSON :
Interactive whiteboard, notebook, illustrations volcanoes , video presentation, model volcano , mixture for

eruptions

:
soda, red paint, detergent, citric acid, plastic cups
(per child, deep plate, baking soda, washing-up liquid, vinegar,
layout volcano , small spoons). nine0053 1 part

Educator

: Hello
guys.

Children

: Hello!

Educator

: Our lesson is unusual , they came to us today
guests!

Children

: Hello!

Part 2

Educator

: Guys, we are
you live on an amazing planet called.

Children

: Earth

Educator

:
Guess

riddle

:

“I traveled to different countries,
I sailed along rivers, oceans,
I walked bravely through the desert –
On one sheet of paper.”
(map) .

Children

: map.

Educator

: Children that
shown on the map?

Children

: Our Earth

Educator

: Correct.
Let’s remember what is shown in blue?

Children

: seas, oceans, rivers. nine0007 Educator

: A in green,
yellow, brown.

Children

: Dry land, deserts, mountains.

Educator

: Guys, what
what are mountains?

Children

: These are high hills.

Educator

: And from what
mountains consist?

Children

: made of stones.

Educator

: And also, there is
such unusual mountains from which lava erupts. What are they called?

Child

:

I spit fire and lava,
I am a dangerous giant!
I am glorious with bad fame,
And my name is Volcano !

Educator

: Right, and
today we will talk about volcanoes .

Part 3

Educator

: I will tell you
the legend of volcano , which you have not yet
heard.

“There lived a god named Vulcan . It was a strange god – ugly, lame.
But he was very hardworking and strong. And he liked the blacksmith’s

deed

: stand at the anvil, hit with a heavy hammer
iron, fan the fire in the forge. He built himself a forge inside a tall
the mountains. The mountain was right in the middle of the sea. When Vulkan worked with hammer , the mountain trembled from the top
to the ground, and the roar and rumble carried far around. From the hole at the top
mountains with a deafening roar flew hot stones, fire and ashes. “ The volcano is working” , people said with fear, and
went to live away from this place. Since then, people, all fire-breathing mountains
began to call volcanoes . ”
(A picture of God is displayed on the screen Vulcan )

Educator

: This is what
interesting legend about the origin of the name volcano . Did you like it? (Yes)

Part 4

Educator

: And how
volcanoes are formed ?

Children

: In the earth’s crust
fissure formed, volcano erupted ,
lava flows out, solidifies and forms an elevation around the cracks in the earth, then
again and again, and as a result, the elevation grows, turns into a mountain – a cone. So
grows up volcano .

Educator

: And where can
form volcano ?

Children

: On land, and even in
water.

Caretaker

: Why is he
erupting?

Children

: Inside the Earth is very
high temperature, magma boils and tries to break out, which she succeeds
through cracks in the earth’s crust.

Educator

: And now,
guys, let’s look at the pictures with the image of volcanoes . Look carefully at what shape volcano is, what does it look like?

Children

: Looks like a pyramid,
cone.

Educator

: Right,
guys, volcano cone
forms.

Educator

: And this is how
called?

Children

: this mouth looks like
reddish-orange mouth, extending deep into the ground.

Caretaker

: Pay
attention to its upper part, what is the name of this part volcano ?

Children

: Mountain top from
which erupts volcano ,
called crater volcano .

Educator

: And what is he
similar?

Children

: The crater of the volcano looks like a bowl , a hole, a bowl, etc.
inside volcano ?

Children

: this is magma.

Educator

: A fiery
fluid coming out of volcanoes

Children

: Lava

Educator

: Why
magma inside, and when lava comes out?

Children

: Because magma is
molten stones and volatile gases, and when it goes outside, the gases
evaporate and only molten lava stones remain.

Educator

: Who knows how
there is an eruption of volcano ?

Children

: First from the crater
a column of smoke and ashes rises, then stone rain sprinkles the slopes of the mountains and
eruption begins. nine0007 Educator

: How exactly
can lava erupt?

Children

: Well, sometimes volcano seems to explode, throwing out lava
up and to the sides.

Children

: And sometimes, lava
comes out “quietly”.

Educator

: And how
long volcano can erupt ?

Children

: one, two days, and
maybe a few years.

Caretaker

: After
eruption remains a scorched desert, life will not soon appear on this place.
But, sometimes, thanks to action volcano appears
new land – for example, the Hawaiian Islands were formed in the ocean for millions of years
back thanks to volcanic processes

Educator

: What
types of volcanoes do you know ?

Children

: extinct volcanoes
an eruption is unlikely or has not erupted for several hundred thousand years.
Diamond head – Hawaii.