This session is a play on words: Volcano and Vocabulary together! Many science books contain a glossary and or a vocabulary word index. It is critical for students to understand the importance of their usage and how to use the vocabulary word correctly. Discuss with students that the glossary will assist them in not only understanding the word, how to pronounce the word, but also will tell them on what page the vocabulary word being discussed is on. Included in this unit are the vocabulary words that the teacher might deem as most important, however when the students develop their own vocabulary puzzle, they may chose alternative relative words.
A
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· Ash- Is a harsh abrasive(aggressive) type of substance made up of small rocks, mineral, and volcanic gas blown out of a volcano when it erupts
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· Active- A volcano that has erupted in recorded history or is currently erupting
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· Avalanche- A large mass of falling and or sliding material
B
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· Basalt- Is a type of volcanic rock. This hard dark rock is composed of about 50% silica and is often rich in iron and magnesium. Basalt is a common type of rock in the Earth’s crust, but mostly found in the sea floor
C
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· Caldera- Depression from a collapsed volcano-form super volcanoes
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· Cinder-Small fragments of lava that are about ½ inch or 1 centimeter across
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· Cinder Cone-A volcanic cone built entirely of loose fragmented material
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· Composite volcano-A steep volcanic cone built by both lava flows and pyroclastic eruptions
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· Continental Drift-The horizontal movement of the earth’s surface causes slow, relative movements of the continents toward or away from one another
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· Core-The core is the innermost layer of the Earth. It consists of iron-nickel and is under great pressure. It is very hot. The inner core is solid and the outer core is molten
D
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· Dormant-Literally, “sleeping.” The term is used to describe a volcano which is presently inactive but which may erupt again in the future
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· Disaster-A sudden event
bringing great damage, loss or destruction
E
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· Eruption/Erupt-The process by which solid, liquid, and gaseous materials are ejected into the earth’s atmosphere and onto the earth’s surface by volcanic activity
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· Extinct Volcano-A volcano that is not presently erupting and is not likely to do so for a very long time in the future
F
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· Fissure- Is crack in a rock. A volcanoes fissure is from which lava erupts
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· Fault- A crack or fracture in the earth’s surface
G
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· Gas- Is a phase of matter in which the molecules are widely separated, move around freely and move at a high speed
H
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· Hotspot- Spot deep within Earth that feeds magma to the surface, forming chains of hotspot volcanoes, such as Hawaii
I
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· Igneous Rock- When molten rock cools and hardens igneous rock is formed. Some igneous rocks contain granite, obsidian, basalt and andesite porphyr
K
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· Kilogram- (kg) Is a unit of mass defined as the weight of one liter of water. One kilogram is equivalent to 1,000 grams or 2.2 pounds.
L
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· Lava- Is molten rock coming out of an erupting volcanoes
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· Lithosphere- Is the solid rocky outer part of the Earth consisting of the crust and the upper mantle
M
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· Magma- Is molten rock from which igneous rock forms. Magma is formed from many types of rocks, including basalt, andesite, dacite and rhyolite
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· Mantle- A layer of the Earth located between the crust and the molten core
N
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· Neck-Also called the volcano plug. Is a solidified lava that fills the conduit of a volcano
O
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· Ocean Plates-The earth’s crust where it underlies the oceans floor
P
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· Plate Tectonics-The theory that the earth’s crust is broken into about 12 fragments (plates,) which move in relation to one another, shifting continents, forming new ocean crust, and volcanic eruptions
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· Plug- Solidified lava that fills the conduit or vent of a volcano
R
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· Ring of Fire-The regions of volcanoes which surround the Pacific Ocean
S
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· Seismograph-An instrument that measures motion of the ground
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· Shield Volcano-A gently sloping volcano in the shape of a flattened dome and built almost exclusively of lava flow
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· Silica-A chemical combination of silicon and oxygen
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· Stratovolcano-A volcano composed of both lava flows and pyroclastic material
T
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· Tectonic Activity-The deformation and movement within the Earth’s outer layers
V
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· Vent- An area or opening for gas or liquid to escape or relief pressure
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· Viscosity- Describes the fluidity or runniness and stickiness of the lava. The higher the viscosity, the less runny lava
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· Volcano-A vent in the surface of the Earth through which magma and associated gases and ash erupt; also, the form or structure that is produced by the ejected material
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· Volcanologist- Scientist who studies volcanoes and their eruptions Vocabulary words and their definitions are from Enchanted Learning.com and from various Internet Goggle resources.
What’s so great about Volcanoes?
Now that we know all the bad and dangerous effects of volcanoes is there any good that comes out of their eruptions? (Sands, 2005)
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· We utilize many of the items that emerge from the eruption. We use diamonds, tin and gold from magma flow. Diamonds originate in the mantle under extreme heat and pressure. Beautiful diamonds called kimberlite are formed by rising magma.
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· Obsidian was used many years ago to make tools.
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· Basalt which is hard lava is used today to make roads. It is also used as building materials. Sulfur is added to rubber to make it stronger.
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· Dentists use Pumice to clean our teeth!
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· The ash and sulfur helps farmers renew or fertilize soil. Sulfur is mixed with phosphate to make a special type of fertilizer. The workers in Java Indonesia collect sulfur crystals from the volcano Kawah Ijen.(Moores, 1995)
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· Hot-springs and Geysers warm the areas of Yellowstone and the Geysers also produce heat to generate electricity!
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· Volcanoes have formed Hawaii, Iceland, the Aleutian Islands and many other small islands on Earth.
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· Buried Historical artifacts and people have been discovered.
What to do if you live near a volcano!
Move! Rule number one is to stay away from active volcanoes! But if you live near a dormant volcano you and your family should have a plan. Before the volcano erupts you should have a pair of goggles and a breathing mask. Your family should have an evacuation plan.
Disasters can strike quickly and without warning. Disasters such as volcanoes and earthquakes can be traumatic for adults and even more frightening for children. A very concrete plain should be in place and everyone should remain claim. Volcanologists have been studying volcanoes now for a long time and are able to predict eruptions though signs in our Earth’s motion and examining past volcanic eruptions. A Volcanologist studies a volcano every day and watches for critical signs such as increase in ash, fumes from the crater, earthquakes and even some instruments can detect volcanic activity. Once volcanic activity is detected, evaluation skills are crucial.
During the evacuation avoid flying debris, hot gas, lateral blasts and lava flow. Listen to the radio or television for directions or important information. Some directions may want you to stay in your house while other instructions may ask you to evacuate. During the volcanic eruption if there is time, put on long pants and a long sleeved shirt. If you stay inside close all windows and doors. Avoid driving in your car, but if you do drive less than 35 MPH. It is important to avoid mudflows, river valleys and low-lying areas. If able, help neighbors who are disabled, elderly or young children.
Return home if and only if it is clear of ash debris. Stay off the streets; go directly to your house. Watch for fallen objects, weakened walls, downed electrical wires and gas leaks. Once in the house, discard all food that may have been contaminated by ash. Take pictures and record damage and cost of repairs. (WWW.fema.gov/hazard/volcano.shtm )
