Effects Of Volcanic Eruptions

DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/0906This project was made possiblethrough the Institute of Museum andLibrary Services National LeadershipGrant for Museum and LibraryCollaborationEffects of Volcanic EruptionsThis activity complements the Mt. St. Helens and the Volcanic Cascades DVD presentation andgeneral study guide.GRADE LEVELJunior High (with extensions for High Schoolers)TIME REQUIRED 3 to 5 classroom sessions (based on 50 minute sessions)ACTIVITY OBJECTIVESStudents will learn: The effects of a volcanic eruption on a community. The effects of a volcanic eruption on the Earth’s environment and geological structure. The different geological features/events of a volcanic eruption. About the possible warning signs of a volcanic eruption.MATERIALSMap of your area (see Procedure no. 2)Access to research materials of local mountains (see Procedure no. 3)Notebook paperAccess to computer and printerPhotograph by Don L. Hunter Mt. St. Helens, May 18, 19801DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06

DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06PROCEDURE (NOTE: THESE ARE SUGGESTED STEPS AND CAN BE MODIFIED ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTOR NEEDS AND RESOURCES)1. Divide the class into groups of 2-8 (depending on class size).2. Using a map of the area, each group will determine the closest mountain to your community.(Note: If a possible volcano is not a realistic option for your local community, see the Extensionssection for possible replacement activities.)3. Research that mountain. Is it extinct, dormant, or active as a volcano? When was the last time iterupted, if ever? What type of volcano is it? (See terms.) If it erupted in the documented past,how did it affect the area around it?4. Groups will document a fictional volcanic eruption of the mountain chosen in # 2 above. Students will write an outline that describes the various effects of a volcanic eruption on their localcommunity. It is important to take past eruptions into consideration (if applicable).The outline will explain:The extent of: Lava flow destruction Ash fall Changes in the climate Other volcanic disturbances (earthquakes, mud flows/slides, pyroclastic flows, gases, etc.)The effects on: Human-built structures Human health Agriculture Livestock Forests Landscape (change in land formations)5. Groups will act as “volcanic experts” in a mock Town Hall meeting where they will warn thelocal community of a pending eruption. They will create and present a report (2-3 pages) to thecommunity. Taking the outline described above as a guide, the report will include:a. The effects the eruption will have on the community and the historical precedence (ifany) of the mountain erupting.b. What should city officials do to ensure the loss of lives and property is minimized?c. What should individual residents do? Should they: Evacuate the community? How far do they need to go to be safe? Bring animals indoors? For how long? Store food and water? Avoid driving? For how long? Other?d. Explain the long-term changes to the environment, and how it will “bounce” back.e. Additionally, groups should anticipate the types of questions community residents wouldask about the volcano.2DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06

DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION1. What types of volcanic effects did you focus on? How do they affect a community? How dothey affect the natural environment? How does a volcanic eruption fit into the natural cycle ofenvironmental changes?2. Do you think volcanoes or human populations have more impact on the environment? Why doesone have more impact? What are the negative and positive effects by both volcanoes and humans on the environment?3. What is the most damaging part of a volcanic eruption (lava flow, pyroclastic flow, ash, bombs,etc.)? Think about damage in terms of lives lost, property damage, or economic disruption(change of flight paths, etc.). From your analysis of the nearest volcano, what is the most damaging part of an eruption in your area?4. What types of occupations would be directly affected by a volcanic eruption? What types wouldbe indirectly affected? Would your job or your parent’s job(s) be affected if the nearest volcanoerupted?5. Are there other large-scale natural occurrences that affect communities on such large scales?What are they? What are the differences and similarities among these occurrences and volcaniceruptions?ASSESSMENTStudent assessment may be based on the following specific exercises or in combination: Student outlines evaluated in terms of conveying the following information:o The extent of damage and environmental change created by volcanic eruption.o The effects this damage and change has on various populations (human, animal, plant,etc.) and on the landscape. Group presentations for “mock Town Hall meeting”:o Was the group able to accurately describe the extent of the effects of volcanic damage onthe community?o Were the group’s recommendations reasonable and clear for the community?o Did the group answer the community’s questions in an articulate and accurate manner? Completion of final presentation written paper (2 – 3 pages) sufficiently addressing:1) The effects the eruption will have on the community and the historical precedence ofthe mountain erupting.2) What city officials should do to minimize the damage caused by an eruption.3) What individual residents should do.4) General conclusions. Participation in class discussion. Matching final student knowledge of the topics in relation to your state standards.DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/063

DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06EXTENSIONS Watch the DVD presentation, Mt. St. Helens and the Volcanic Cascades by Don L. Hunter, andhave a class discussion around the topics presented. Have students research and complete the same activity as previously outlined in the Proceduresection, but instead pick a city (not their own) with a volcano close to it. How did the eruptionaffect this city? Did the community do anything to try to avoid a potential disaster? Is a similarscenario possible in your community?Examples:Yakima, WA Mt. St. Helens (1980), ashfall hazardOutskirts of Hilo, Hawaii downslope from Mauna Loa (1984), lava flow hazardEast of Lassen Volcano, California near Lassen Peak (1914-17), ashfall hazard Find out which natural disaster is most likely in your area. Research what the safety plan is if thatdisaster threatened your area. Have students research how volcanic eruptions assist scientists/archaeologists in learning aboutpast human populations and their lifestyles. Have students graph out a certain effect of volcanic eruptions (such as the distribution of ashpatterns) in the Cascades over the last 10,000 years. Have students research and present on specific Federal Government agencies involved with themonitoring of natural disasters and how the agency is involved directly in the students’ community. Have students create a hazard map of their community and use topography, vent locations, andpotential eruptions styles to map out possible effects of a volcanic eruption.DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/064

Photograph by Don L. HunterDRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06TERMSAsh: Fine material (less than 1/10 an inch in diameter)ejected in an explosive volcanic eruption, which can containvolcanic glass, crystals, and pulverized rock from the wallsof the volcanic conduit. These particles are transported bywind from the volcanic vent into the atmosphere where theycan spread for thousands of miles. Volcanic ash is the mostwidespread hazard from volcanic eruptions because of thelarge areas it can affect.Volcanic Ash, Mt. St. Helenso Ashfall (Airfall includes pumice): Ashfall is the ash that falls from the eruption cloud ofa volcano, creating layers of ash on the surface of the Earth.o Ash Flow: see pyroclastic flow (below).Lave tube: A hollow tube in a lava flow formed by drainage of lava after theformation of a solid surface crust.Fissure: A surface fracture or crack in rocks; fissures can be located onvolcanic slopes or on active lava domes. Some volcanic eruptions originatealong elongated fissures, instead of central vent structures.Pyroclastic Flow: A hot gas-supported flow of ash, pumice, and rock particlesthat collapse out of a volcanic ash column, or “boil-over” from a volcanic vent.These flows travel downslope at high speeds causing an extreme asphyxiationand burn danger for individuals in the flow path.Photograph by Don L. HunterClimatic Effects Of Volcanic Eruptions:o Ozone Effect is the destruction of earth’s ozone by the introduction of such chemicals as volcanic aerosol gas particles (or human made CFCs). These chemicals createa hole in earth’s ozone layer, which allows harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun toenter the Earth’s atmosphere. Volcanic effects on ozone depletion are minimal andshort lived due to the fact that the aerosol gas particles will dissipate in two to threeyears.o Greenhouse Effect is caused by the addition of gases (primarily CO2 and watervapor) to earth’s atmosphere. The effect causes a rise in global temperatures; CO2molecules allow short wavelength solar radiation to enter the atmosphere, but absorblong wavelength infrared radiation from the earth’s surface, thereby trapping heatenergy that creates a cycle where more radiation is allowed into the atmosphere thanis released. Volcanic eruptions add to global warming by adding CO2 to the atmosphere. Scientists have determined that the amount of global warming caused byeruption-generated greenhouse gases is small.o Haze Effect is caused by airborne particles from volcanic eruptions that block outenough sunlight to cause a reduction in global temperatures.Splintered Tree, Mt. St. Helens,May 18, 1980 EruptionDRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/06 - DRAFT VERSION 03/09/035