Describe and understand key aspects of: physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle
Resources: The handouts, pencils and coloured pencils.
Support Handout (1): The handout provides a scaffold for the children to write their fact files.
Core Handout (2): This handout provides a structure for the children to write their fact files.
Recap on the children’s knowledge of volcanoes. Can they explain what happens when a volcano erupts? Discuss what it might be like to live in a volcanic area.
Use the lesson presentation to introduce the children to the work of volcanologists who study volcanic activity to understand and predict future eruptions. The children will learn about a recent volcanic eruption in Iceland in 2024. They will also learn about Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apal, which is an example of an underwater volcano in the South Pacific that erupted in 2022.
Using the handouts provided, or you may wish to use the internet for further research, ask the children to write a fact file about a recent volcanic eruption. Ask the children to include the location of the volcano, when the eruption took place and what the impact was on the people living in the region.
Challenge Task: Encourage the children to write a balanced fact file that includes the pros and cons of living in a volcanic region.
Ask the children to present their fact files to the class.
Volcanic eruptions are a significant geological phenomenon that occurs when magma from the Earth’s mantle reaches the surface, leading to eruptions that can vary greatly in intensity and impact.
Effusive eruptions are characterised by the gentle flow of lava, often resulting in the formation of broad, shield volcanoes, while explosive eruptions can produce ash clouds and pyroclastic flows, which pose significant dangers to nearby communities.
Volcanologists are scientists who study volcanic activity to forecast eruptions and implement safety measures for communities at risk. Understanding how volcanologists gather data - such as monitoring seismic activity, gas emissions and ground deformation - can enrich discussions about risk management and emergency preparedness in volcanic areas. Current examples, such as the 2024 eruption in Iceland and the 2022 Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai eruption, illustrate the real-world implications of volcanic activity.
In early 2024, the Geldingadalir volcano in the Reykjanes Peninsula began erupting after a series of seismic activities, including thousands of small earthquakes. The eruption featured a fissure eruption, where magma flowed from cracks in the ground rather than a single vent. The lava was primarily basaltic, resulting in slow-moving lava flows that created new landforms. The eruption caused temporary air quality concerns due to gas emissions, but due to Iceland's robust monitoring and emergency response systems, there were no casualties reported. The eruption drew many tourists and researchers to the area, contributing to studies on volcanic activity and landscape formation.
On January 15, 2022, the underwater volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai erupted dramatically, producing one of the most powerful eruptions in recent history. The eruption generated a massive ash plume that reached up to 58 kilometers (36 miles) into the atmosphere and created shockwaves that circled the globe. The eruption caused significant tsunamis that affected Tonga and nearby islands, leading to widespread damage, loss of communication and contamination of freshwater supplies due to volcanic ash. The eruption also triggered a volcanic explosion that could be heard as far away as the United States. Recovery efforts were complicated by the impact on infrastructure and the need for humanitarian assistance.