Volcanoes a webquest Photo: Pu’u O’o vent Kilaeua volcano Hawaii NEXT
Introduction Houston has suddenly become the site of increasing geologic activity. In addition to weather related natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, the city may soon have another disaster to worry about: a volcano! Photo: Mt. St. Helens NEXT
Task ► You and your partners, a geologist, a historian, and an emergency management specialist, must research ways to reduce the possible death toll from a volcanic eruption in the Houston area. ► To do this, you will need to know how volcanoes are formed and what makes them so hazardous. formedhazardousformedhazardous ► You will also travel back in time to study the 10 most deadly eruptions in recorded history. deadly ► Finally, you will travel back to the present to locate the currently erupting volcanoes and learn what the people in those locations are doing to avoid disaster. currently NEXT
Process ► 1. For your journey to the past: On the world map locate the 10 most deadly volcanoes in recorded history. Give their latitude and longitude, the date of eruption, the type of eruption, the death toll, and the cause of death. map ► 2. For your present-day journey: On a second world map, locate the eruptions that have occurred during the past 30 days. Give latitude and longitude, the date and duration of the most recent eruption, and the type of eruption. You will need to download and print the map. map ► 3. With your partners, prepare a presentation on why volcanic eruptions can be so deadly and how fatalities can be avoided. The format of the presentation is up to you and your partners. NEXT
Evaluation At the conclusion of this quest, you will be graded on whether you are able to: ► Identify the major types of volcanoes and their characteristics. ► Explain how and why each is deadly. ► Make reasonable suggestions for avoiding volcano-related fatalities. Photo: NEXT
Conclusion Your work here is very important. The lives of thousands of Houstonians may depend on your success. Photo: Stromboli volcano in the Mediterranean Sea, by B. Chouet in December NEXT
Teacher notes This webquest requires that you apply your literacy skills across the curriculum. You will combine information from the content areas of science, history, geography. You will need to activate critical thinking to analyze the information and formulate recommendations. ► Photo: Mayon volcano, Philippines by C. Newhall on 15 September ENDEND SHOWSHOW