Volcanoes: How Safe Are They?
Grade Level: 9-12

Summary: Students will learn about some of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth. They will plot their location, research different volcanic hazards and assess the risks presented by volcanoes.

View the Lesson Plans for this Unit
View the Content Standards

Download Related Documents:
Volcanic Hazard Presentation Scoring Guide

Volcano List

Volcanic Hazards List

Volcanic Hazard Note Sheet

Volcanic Eruption Scenarios

Activity 1:
Where Are the Volcanoes

Students will locate volcanoes around the world and record information about each of these volcanoes to be compiled on a classroom map.

Featured video clips in this activity:

Mount Edgecumbe, Alaska Alaska's Mount Edgecumbe, now apparently peaceful, was once a center of violent volcanic activity.

Mount St. Helens - Blast Zone The cataclysmic eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 left vast scars on the landscape still obvious today.

Activity 2:

What is a Volcanic Hazard
Students will develop a definition for "volcanic hazard" and demonstrate the different types of hazards.

Featured video clips in this activity:

Mount St. Helens - Blast Zone The cataclysmic eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 left vast scars on the landscape still obvious today.

Newberry Crater Submerged Campsite Thousands of years ago a volcanic event disrupted the lives of native people living in eastern Oregon, burying their homes.

Activity 3:

What is a Volcanic Hazard
Students will apply their knowledge of volcanic hazards by creating a volcanic hazard assessment.