Volcano Alert Unit

Summary

Volcano Alert is a 10-lesson, 500-600 minute long middle school earth science curricular unit. Motivated by the impending volcanic eruption of Mt. Gunnarupt, student teams are tasked with assessing the potential threat of a volcano to surrounding towns, and designing an early warning system and an evacuation plan for the thousands of people who live near Mt. Gunnarupt. Students will complete numerous hands-on, inquiry-based lessons to learn the requisite material: volcano types, volcano structure, lava composition and flow, volcanic reactions, gas pressure and topography. Student teams will build a model volcano, simulate volcanic explosions and lahar flows, and design a sensor network and evacuation plan. Unit lessons and activities are strongly aligned with national and state earth science, inquiry and technology standards.

Lessons	Time Required (min)
What's the Problem?	45
Volcano Video and Questions	45
Ring of Fire	45
What Kind of Volcano?	45
Boom!	45
Viscosity and Velocity	90
Build a Model Volcano	90
Hazard Analysis	90
Save the Townspeople!	45
Early Warning System Design	45

View Samples:

Teacher's Guide Sample
Urgent Memorandum
Student Worksheet Sample
Volcanic Hazards Map
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