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Hawaii Born of Fire

Viewing Ideas

Before Watching

1. Before showing the video, ask students what they know about volcanoes. What famous volcanic eruptions have they heard of? What types of material comes out of a volcano when it erupts? Ask students to describe their ideas about how a volcano erupts by making a sketch or diagram. As they watch the program, have the students look for information that confirms or challenges their ideas about volcanoes.

2. Ask students to estimate how many Hawaiian islands there are. Then show them a map that depicts the entire chain of Hawaiian islands.

   

3. The geologists and volcanologists in this program are studying the oldest and youngest volcanoes still erupting on the island of Hawaii. How do students think this island chain was created? Why are the older islands submerged under the ocean? What might be some of the similarities and differences between the oldest and youngest Hawaiian volcanoes? Encourage students to listen for comparisons among the volcanoes as they watch the program.

After Watching

1. Ask students to describe some of the similarities and differences among the volcanoes Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Loihi. What theories about volcanoes were supported by the scientists' study? How did the scientists interpret evidence to support their theories? What else do scientists hope to prove by studying Loihi? In addition to the studies presented in the program, what else do students think would be interesting to learn from studies of these three volcanoes? To expand this discussion, have the students research some of the Hawaiian volcanoes, other volcanoes in the world, or other aspects of plate tectonics.