Volcanoes erupt when magma pushes up through the earth and flows down the side of a volcano as lava.
As you study sixth-grade earth science, you can learn more about volcanoes and the science behind them by doing a volcano project. You may find that your ideas about volcanoes have been influenced by incorrect stereotypes in movies and on TV. Make a volcano for an educational project or a science fair topic with the "cool" factor of a messy eruption.
Volcano Science
Research what makes volcanoes erupt. There's more to it than molten rock pushing up through the earth and flowing down the sides of the volcano. All volcanic eruptions are not the same. Some create mudflows, debris flows or lahars. Some erupt underwater. Learn about the three basic types of volcanoes, shield volcanoes, composite cones (stratovolcanoes) and caldera. Compare them to see how they are alike and how they differ.
Famous Volcanoes
Discover the stories behind famous volcanoes, such as Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Vesuvius, Mt. Pelee, Mauna Loa, Mount Niyiragongo and the caldera at Yellowstone National Park. What made them famous? Do dormant volcanoes stay dormant? There are at least 20 volcanoes actively erupting somewhere in the world at any one time. Create a map showing the locations of these currently active volcanoes. Find out if volcanoes are more prevalent in some parts of the world.
Model Volcanoes
Make a model of an imaginary or real volcano using materials such as modeling clay, paper mache, plaster of Paris, moist soil or cardboard. Try to make it look realistic by painting it, adhering sand or soil to it or using small vegetation on the lower portion. Relief maps of real volcanoes can be used to understand lava flow. Obtain a topographic map of a real volcano from the U.S. Geological Survey and create a cardboard scale model of the volcano. Draw or create a cutaway model of the parts of a volcano.
Creating the Eruption
The most well-known way to make a volcano eruption is creating an acid/base reaction using vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, a base). The reaction releases carbon dioxide, creating fizzes, crackles and pops. Adding the contents of a package of Mentos to a two-liter bottle of diet Coke produces a tall, explosive reaction best done outside. Combining a packet of quick-rising yeast to hydrogen peroxide is another option for creating an eruption. Experiment with different methods of creating eruptions and choose the one that best suits the type of volcano you have made.
Tags: about volcanoes, base reaction, real volcano, through earth
