Rescue Me Task 3

 

 

 
 
What happens when a Volcano erupts?
 
 
     
 

Lesson Objective:

  • To understand the processes of a volcanic eruption
 
     
 

Starter:

What happens when you shake a bottle of fizzy water then release the cap? Why? Your teacher may demonstrate this for you. The same thing happens in the magma chamber of a volcano.

 
     
 

 

 

A Volcano Explodes

(click here for a worksheet with all the information on)

 
 

Read the following passage from the diary of a sailor. It was written 100 years ago.

  
 

It was just after 8 o’clock in the morning. We were anchored off the coast of Martinique. We could see Mount Pelee in front of us.

Suddenly, there was an almighty EXPLOSION. Craters opened up in the mountain. A raging FIRE came up out of the craters. The NOISE was so loud that it made thunder seem quiet.

A huge CLOUD of molten rock, flames and smoke came rolling down the mountain towards us. It was luminous red. It seemed to swallow up the hills which were in its way. It moved so fast that it reached us in a few seconds. Then came the burning GAS and a tornado of STEAM AND ASH. It seemed to be endless.

The captain of the ship rushed to the bridge. He yelled at me to set sail. But we were too late. Disaster struck. The earth and the sea seemed to whirl around us. It was like a whirlwind which set fire to everything in its path. There was hardly any time to escape. Lava, fire, ashes and smoke swallowed us up in an instant. We were doomed.

I was one of the few who survived.

Adapted from “The Tragedy of the Martinique”, written by Chief Officer Ellery Scott, in 1902.

 

 
 

Now complete the following exercises:

  • On a paper copy of the passage, HIGHLIGHT the key words that are in capital letters. Choose a different colour for each.
  • For each key word HIGHLIGHT the word or words which describe it. Make sure you se the same colour as the key word.
  • WRITE the describing words in a table like this:
  • Draw a diagram to show what Ellery Scott saw when the volcano erupted.
 
     
 
     
 
     
 

Volcanic Eruptions

This ppt will tell you about how Volcanoes work and what effects they can have. Take a look at it and then use it to draw and label a cross-section of a volcano in your books or on paper.

 
     
 
     
 

Extension Activity

Write a description of what happens when volcano erupts. Include key terms. You may want to do some research into the volcanic eruption near Pompeii in Roman Times.

 
     
 

Plenary:

Can you match up the key words and definitions about Volcanoes on this worksheet.

  
     
 

Optional Homework:

Build a model of a volcano to include a cut-away section. Your teacher can give you a help sheet for this.

 
     

Remember to save your work.

Now go to Task 4...

 

^^^^^^^^