Volcanoes & Igneous Rocks
GEOL 103 Laboratory Overview
Learning Goals
- properties of magma and lava,
- differences between composite and shield volcanoes,
- role of plate tectonics in volcano hazards, and
- types of igneous rocks associated with volcanoes.
The main goals of this lab are to identify or understand the:
Introduction
Volcanoes are some of the most destructive forces on Earth. Many volcanic eruptions have wiped out cities and caused changes to the climate and have also created conditions that allowed life to sustain on Earth.
About 1,500 active volcanoes can be found around the world. Learn about the major types of volcanoes, the geological process behind eruptions, and where the most destructive volcanic eruption ever witnessed occurred. ➡ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribe #NationalGeographic #Volcanoes #Educational About National Geographic: National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure.
Case Studies
Several volcanoes made history - either changing the course of human civilization or caused massive climate change. Below are some examples.
Mt. St. Helens
Fifty years ago (in 1980) this volcano erupted and became the most destructive volcano in the US history. This volcano is part of the Cascade Range of Pacific Northwest. Mt. Rainier is another similar volcano looming within view of Seattle and Tacoma in Washington state.
Kīlauea
One of the most active volcanoes on the US soil. Eruptions here are not as dangerous compared to the Mt. St. Helens eruption.
Mt. Pinatubo
This volcano in the Philippines erupted in 1991 and was the first-time scientists were able to accurately predict the imminent eruption of the volcano. Despite the timely evacuations of the densely populated areas, more than 800 people died. It was one of the most significant eruption of the 20th century that led to lowering of global temperature the following years. In the aftermath of this eruption, local uprising led to the American government permanently closing the Clark Air Force base that was located near the volcano.
Mt. Erebus
The southernmost volcano on Earth is present in Antarctica. It is also highly active. There is an active, bubbling lava lake in the volcano crater - there are very few volcanoes around the world where similar volcanic activity occurs and is actively studied by scientists.
Laki, Iceland
Numerous volcanic fissures opened in southern Iceland and erupted for more than eight months between 1783-1784. In the aftermath a quarter of the residents of Iceland perished. The enormous amount of SO2 emissions from these eruptions triggered a world-wide drop in temperatures and many years of drought and famines across the world.
This video describes another eruption at the Eldfell volcano on the Heimaey Island southwest of Laki. The Laki eruption is of a similar type that occurred for more than 8 months.
Volcanoes Around the World
Below is a map of all the major volcanoes around the world. You can zoom in and click on the volcano to find out more about that volcano. Also, note that the volcanoes are typically at a plate boundary (convergent or divergent) or on a hot spot.
Major Volcanoes of the World
Resources for the Lab
Videos and Animations
Mt. St. Helens Eruption May 18, 1980 720p HD
Anak Krakatau volcano erupts before and after tsunami
Kilauea Lava Fissure 8 And Lava Flow June 6, 2018
Naming Igneous Rocks
What is an Igneous Rock?
Textbook Resources
- Igneous rocks and volcanoes chapter from OpenGeology online textbook
- Igneous rocks and magma chapter from U of Saskatchewan online textbook
- Volcanoes and volcanism chapter from U of Saskatchewan online textbook
