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Parts of a Volcano


A volcano is a vent or fissure on the surface of a planet (usually in a mountainous form) with a magma chamber attached to the mantle of a planet or moon, periodically erupting forth lava and volcanic gases onto the surface. There are around 1,500 volcanos that are or could be active on Earth, plus additional volcanos under the sea.

Parts of volcanos include the following:

  • Crater: The basin-like opening or mouth of a volcano, through which the chief eruption comes
  • Vent: The opening of a volcano from which lava flows.
  • Conduit: A pipe in the center of the volcano that allows magma to flow to the surface.
  • Magma Chamber: A large underground pool of molten rock lying under the surface of the Earth's crust.
  • And at times - lava flows and tephra (ash clouds, rocks, gases)

Volcanos form rocks as follows:

  1. Magma melts in the Earth's mantle.
  2. Magma rises up into the Earth's crust.
  3. Magma may be trapped, crystals may form.
  4. Pressure builds until magma rises to the surface.
  5. Tephra (rocks, gas, ash) and lava erupt from the opening in the crust (volcano).
    6. Rocks Forming from Volcanos

Volcanos are breathtaking, destructive, and deadly. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, up to a 20-foot layer of pumice and volcanic ash smothered the Italian city of Pompeii. Over time, parts of the city have been excavated, enabling scientists to discover buildings, artwork, and other artifacts preserved by the ash. Scientists believe many of the 20,000 people of Pompeii escaped the eruption, as only around 1,150 bodies have been recovered.
Mount Vesuvius Looming Over the Excavated Ruins of Pompeii, Italy

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read the lesson.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
  • Study the rock and mineral of the week.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

A volcano is a vent or fissure on the surface of a planet (usually in a mountainous form) with a magma chamber attached to the mantle of a planet or moon, periodically erupting forth lava and volcanic gases onto the surface. Volcanos are breathtaking, destructive, and deadly. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, pumice and volcanic ash smothered the Italian city of Pompeii.

Vocabulary

Volcano: A vent or fissure on the surface of a planet (usually in a mountainous form) with a magma chamber attached to the mantle of a planet or moon, periodically erupting forth lava and volcanic gases onto the surface.
Igneous Rock: A rock formed by the cooling of molten rock, either below the surface (intrusive) or on the surface (extrusive).

Rock or Mineral of the Week

Overview
  • Pumice is a light, porous type of igneous rock, formed during explosive volcanic eruptions when liquid lava is ejected into water or air as a froth containing masses of gas bubbles. As the lava solidifies, the bubbles are frozen into the rock.

Physical Characteristics
  • Color: Multiple - white, gray, blue, brown, black
  • Hardness: 6
  • Luster: Earthy
  • Cleavage: None
  • Streak: White, gray, or greenish
  • Tenacity: Brittle

Locations:
  • Italy, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, and North America have large deposits

Interesting Facts
  • Due to its air bubbles, pumice has such a low density that it can float on water.
  • See how pumice floats while other rocks sink in a jar of water.
  • Here is a massive amount of pumice and ash floating on the Pacific ocean after a volcanic eruption.
  • However, pumice will only float until it becomes waterlogged. If the air pockets in pumice fill with water, pumice will sink. This process can sometimes take years.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

  • After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Map the Lesson

  • Pumice is found in many places with volcanic activity including Italy, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, and North America.
  • Find these countries/continents on the map of the world.

Activity 3: Take a Nature Walk

  • Embark on a nature walk.
  • Collect one rock or mineral specimen.
  • Use the gathered specimen to create the field book entry.

Activity 4: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete page 6 in 'Fifth Grade Science Rocks and Minerals Notebook Pages.'

Review

Question 1

Describe something about pumice.
1 / 5

Answer 1

Pumice is made when air bubbles become trapped in lava. Due to its air bubbles, pumice can float in water.
1 / 5

Question 2

What are the three major groups of rock that make up the crust of the Earth?
2 / 5

Answer 2

The three major groups of rock that make up the crust of the Earth are igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.
2 / 5

Question 3

Which rock group is formed from cooling magma or lava?
3 / 5

Answer 3

The igneous rock group is formed from cooling magma or lava.
3 / 5

Question 4

Which rock group includes rocks or minerals transformed by heat and pressure?
4 / 5

Answer 4

The metamorphic rock group includes rocks or minerals transformed by heat and pressure.
4 / 5

Question 5

Which rock group is made up of deposits cemented together?
5 / 5

Answer 5

The sedimentary rock group is made up of deposits cemented together.
5 / 5

  1. Describe something about pumice. Pumice is made when air bubbles become trapped in lava. Due to its air bubbles, pumice can float in water.
  2. What are the three major groups of rock that make up the crust of the Earth? The three major groups of rock that make up the crust of the Earth are igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.
  3. Which rock group is formed from cooling magma or lava? The igneous rock group is formed from cooling magma or lava.
  4. Which rock group includes rocks or minerals transformed by heat and pressure? The metamorphic rock group includes rocks or minerals transformed by heat and pressure.
  5. Which rock group is made up of deposits cemented together? The sedimentary rock group is made up of deposits cemented together.

References

  1. 'Volcano.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcano. n.p.
  2. 'Pompeii.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeii. n.p.
  3. 'Pumice.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumice. n.p.
  4. Cited Physical Properties. Geology.com. geology.com/rocks. n.p.

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