Unit E Lesson E3 Valcanoes
Completion requirements
Lesson E3: Earth's Violent Crust: Volcanoes
Video Lesson
Volcanoes are perhaps the most fascinating sudden Earth events humans can experience. Often, volcanoes are accompanied by earthquakes. They spew volumes of dust and gases high into the atmosphere, their explosive eruptions can throw boulders hundreds
of kilometres, and they ooze red hot molten rock onto their surroundings.
Lesson E3: Earth's Violent Crust: Volcanoes
Volcano Hunting
If you decided to become an professional volcano hunter in modern-day Alberta, you would have a difficult time doing your job. A while ago, roughly 65 millions years ago, volcanoes were erupting in what we now call Alberta. Today, no volcanoes erupt in Alberta. British Columbia has some dormant volcanoes, and Mount St. Helens in the southern part of the nearby state of Washington erupted violently in 1980.
A good volcano hunter always does research, and Alberta has several connections to volcanoes and the effects they have on their surroundings. In fact, a boy born in Edmonton in 1946 often dreamed about hunting for evidence of volcanoes. The search for his dream has made him a multimillionaire.
If you decided to become an professional volcano hunter in modern-day Alberta, you would have a difficult time doing your job. A while ago, roughly 65 millions years ago, volcanoes were erupting in what we now call Alberta. Today, no volcanoes erupt in Alberta. British Columbia has some dormant volcanoes, and Mount St. Helens in the southern part of the nearby state of Washington erupted violently in 1980.
A good volcano hunter always does research, and Alberta has several connections to volcanoes and the effects they have on their surroundings. In fact, a boy born in Edmonton in 1946 often dreamed about hunting for evidence of volcanoes. The search for his dream has made him a multimillionaire.
Reading for This Lesson
Science in Action 7
Materials:
Science in Action 7
Reading: Pages 360, 362
Materials:
No other materials are required for this lesson.
Figure E.1.3.1 – Volcanoes can be dangerous, but they are tourist attractions.
Figure E.1.3.2 – Volcanoes can release dust and gases high into the sky.
Volcano Hunting
If you decided to become an professional volcano hunter in modern-day Alberta, you would have a difficult time doing your job. A while ago, roughly 65 millions years ago, volcanoes were erupting in what we now call Alberta. Today, no volcanoes erupt in Alberta. British Columbia has some dormant volcanoes, and Mount St. Helens, in the southern part of the nearby state of Washington, erupted violently in 1980.
A good volcano hunter always does research, and Alberta has several connections to volcanoes and the effects they have on their surroundings. In fact, a boy born in Edmonton in 1946 often dreamed about hunting for evidence of volcanoes. The search for his dream has made him a multimillionaire.
If you decided to become an professional volcano hunter in modern-day Alberta, you would have a difficult time doing your job. A while ago, roughly 65 millions years ago, volcanoes were erupting in what we now call Alberta. Today, no volcanoes erupt in Alberta. British Columbia has some dormant volcanoes, and Mount St. Helens, in the southern part of the nearby state of Washington, erupted violently in 1980.
A good volcano hunter always does research, and Alberta has several connections to volcanoes and the effects they have on their surroundings. In fact, a boy born in Edmonton in 1946 often dreamed about hunting for evidence of volcanoes. The search for his dream has made him a multimillionaire.
Figure E.1.3.3 – A diagram of an erupting volcano. A. magma chamber; B. vent or chimney; C. crater; D. ash cloud; E. lava flow.
What is a Volcano?
The lower mantle is far below Earth’s solid crust. This layer of very hot, liquid rock called magma expands and rises, producing pressure and convection currents in the mantle. If cracks or openings occur in the upper mantle or crust, the magma will rise. This is something like having a bulge on the side of a bicycle tire – the sidewall has weakened! In Earth, this results in pockets of liquid magma in the solid upper mantle and crust called magma chambers.
The magma is from far below the crust, so it contains melted rocks and minerals different than those found in the upper layers. When the magma eventually reaches the surface, it is called lava. (The bike tire now is leaking and air escapes.) When the magma or lava cools to form solid rock, the rocks will be different material than rocks found on the crust. The lava and materials ejected during an eruption form the distinctive and familiar cone shapes of volcanoes.
Remember that young Edmonton volcano hunter? He learned these lessons and realized that he could find a hidden volcano by looking for some of these rare minerals. Yes, he was looking for ‘hidden’ volcanoes. In those hidden volcanoes, the young man found his fortune.
The lower mantle is far below Earth’s solid crust. This layer of very hot, liquid rock called magma expands and rises, producing pressure and convection currents in the mantle. If cracks or openings occur in the upper mantle or crust, the magma will rise. This is something like having a bulge on the side of a bicycle tire – the sidewall has weakened! In Earth, this results in pockets of liquid magma in the solid upper mantle and crust called magma chambers.
The magma is from far below the crust, so it contains melted rocks and minerals different than those found in the upper layers. When the magma eventually reaches the surface, it is called lava. (The bike tire now is leaking and air escapes.) When the magma or lava cools to form solid rock, the rocks will be different material than rocks found on the crust. The lava and materials ejected during an eruption form the distinctive and familiar cone shapes of volcanoes.
Remember that young Edmonton volcano hunter? He learned these lessons and realized that he could find a hidden volcano by looking for some of these rare minerals. Yes, he was looking for ‘hidden’ volcanoes. In those hidden volcanoes, the young man found his fortune.
Figure E.1.3.4 – The familiar cone shape of a volcano.
Figure E.1.3.5 – Mount Cleveland, in Alaska, during an eruption in 2006.
What causes a volcano to erupt?
When the pressures of superheated rock and gases deep below the surface increase, they form chambers of materials that swell and expand into the surrounding rock. These chambers can form “bubbles of rock” as they swell. The swelling triggers small earthquakes. Changes in temperature, slight increases in altitude from swelling, the presence of certain gases, and the small earthquakes are all signs to a watchful geologist that an eruption may occur soon.
Eventually, the heat and pressure become too much, and the volcano erupts. Often, the pressure is released with an explosion that can send tonnes of rock and ash shooting up and outwards. Sometimes, however, the eruption is calm, and magma forces its way slowly to the surface where it becomes lava. The lava can ooze from the mouth of the volcano, called the vent, or it might be shot outwards by the pressure to cool into tiny globs of volcanic rock. Trapped gases escape,also. If they happen to be poisonous, they can kill animals near the eruption.
When the pressures of superheated rock and gases deep below the surface increase, they form chambers of materials that swell and expand into the surrounding rock. These chambers can form “bubbles of rock” as they swell. The swelling triggers small earthquakes. Changes in temperature, slight increases in altitude from swelling, the presence of certain gases, and the small earthquakes are all signs to a watchful geologist that an eruption may occur soon.
Eventually, the heat and pressure become too much, and the volcano erupts. Often, the pressure is released with an explosion that can send tonnes of rock and ash shooting up and outwards. Sometimes, however, the eruption is calm, and magma forces its way slowly to the surface where it becomes lava. The lava can ooze from the mouth of the volcano, called the vent, or it might be shot outwards by the pressure to cool into tiny globs of volcanic rock. Trapped gases escape,also. If they happen to be poisonous, they can kill animals near the eruption.
Figure E.1.3.6 – Nevado del Ruiz, in Colombia, erupted in 1986, killing 20 000 people.
Figure E.1.3.7 – A hazard map and the potential dangers from erupting Nevado del Ruiz.
The eruption also has secondary effects. In a violent explosion, a shock wave can flatten nearby trees and buildings, and large boulders called volcanic bombs can be thrown into the air. The lava, ash, and rock accumulate around the crater formed by the
explosion, building the volcano into a taller, wider mountain. The heat released can melt quickly snow and ice nearby. The resulting sudden presence of large amounts of water can trigger immense landslides.
The magma brings more than just rare minerals towards the surface when a volcano erupts. It can bring diamonds. In fact, one of the first places to look for diamonds is in old volcano vents, called pipes. If you find a pipe filled with the volcanic rock kimberlite, you have a good chance to find diamonds. Did you know that hundreds of kimberlite pipes have been located throughout Alberta and the Northwest Territories? Up until 60 million years ago, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories were the site of volcanic activity! Evidence of this activity exists for you to see today. When you relax in a soothing hot spring in places such as Banff, Miette, or Radium, you are soaking in water heated far below Earth’s surface by the energy from the liquid mantle.
The magma brings more than just rare minerals towards the surface when a volcano erupts. It can bring diamonds. In fact, one of the first places to look for diamonds is in old volcano vents, called pipes. If you find a pipe filled with the volcanic rock kimberlite, you have a good chance to find diamonds. Did you know that hundreds of kimberlite pipes have been located throughout Alberta and the Northwest Territories? Up until 60 million years ago, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories were the site of volcanic activity! Evidence of this activity exists for you to see today. When you relax in a soothing hot spring in places such as Banff, Miette, or Radium, you are soaking in water heated far below Earth’s surface by the energy from the liquid mantle.
Types of Volcanoes
Three types of volcanoes are identified by how they form and by their structure. As the magma moves upwards, it may find an easy route to the surface or it may be blocked by thick slabs of hard rock. When the volcano erupts, it may ooze lava slowly or it may blow its top, spraying lava, gases, and debris for thousands of kilometres. The way the lava and debris build up around the mouth of the volcano defines its shape and influences how the volcano might erupt again in the future.
Three types of volcanoes are identified by how they form and by their structure. As the magma moves upwards, it may find an easy route to the surface or it may be blocked by thick slabs of hard rock. When the volcano erupts, it may ooze lava slowly or it may blow its top, spraying lava, gases, and debris for thousands of kilometres. The way the lava and debris build up around the mouth of the volcano defines its shape and influences how the volcano might erupt again in the future.
Figure E.1.3.8 – A Cinder cone volcanoes are the simplest kind of volcano.
Cinder Cone Volcanoes
Cinder cone volcanoes are the simplest type of volcano. A single vent allows magma to be ejected up and out when the volcano erupts. The magma and other hot particles cool in mid-air, forming what are called cinders. These cinders fall in a pile around the vent, forming a cone shape.
The cinder cone often has a large, bowl-shaped crater at the top, which is where the vent is located. These volcanoes rarely become more than a few hundred metres in height. Many cinder cone volcanoes erupt only once.
The most famous cinder cone volcano is probably Parícutin, which erupted in 1943 very near Mexico City.
Cinder cone volcanoes are the simplest type of volcano. A single vent allows magma to be ejected up and out when the volcano erupts. The magma and other hot particles cool in mid-air, forming what are called cinders. These cinders fall in a pile around the vent, forming a cone shape.
The cinder cone often has a large, bowl-shaped crater at the top, which is where the vent is located. These volcanoes rarely become more than a few hundred metres in height. Many cinder cone volcanoes erupt only once.
The most famous cinder cone volcano is probably Parícutin, which erupted in 1943 very near Mexico City.
Figure E.1.3.9 – Composite volcanoes are made of layers of ash and cooled lava.
Composite Volcanoes
Composite volcanoes (also known as stratovolcanoes) are the tallest type of volcano. These volcanoes erupt many times, and each time an eruption occurs, more ash, cinders, and lava pile up around the vent. These volcanoes become very tall because their cone shape is filled with channels and pockets of cooled magma that has to force its way to the surface through the debris of the previous eruptions. The magma rises to the surface through these channels instead of straight up as in the cinder cone. Not only do composite volcanoes erupt more than once, but the eruptions can be large and dangerous.
The complicated structure, filled with molten magma, can explode in spectacular, dangerous ways. Massive boulders can be shot outwards, landing hundreds of metres from the volcano. Also, large amount of ash can be released into the atmosphere. This ash can disrupt plant growth wherever it lands, and it can influence the climate by blocking sunlight from Earth’s surface.
Many composite volcanoes are famous, including Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount Vesuvius in Italy, and Mount St. Helens in Washington, USA. Most of Canada’s most famous volcanoes, including Mount Garibaldi and Mount Edziza, are composite volcanoes.
Composite volcanoes (also known as stratovolcanoes) are the tallest type of volcano. These volcanoes erupt many times, and each time an eruption occurs, more ash, cinders, and lava pile up around the vent. These volcanoes become very tall because their cone shape is filled with channels and pockets of cooled magma that has to force its way to the surface through the debris of the previous eruptions. The magma rises to the surface through these channels instead of straight up as in the cinder cone. Not only do composite volcanoes erupt more than once, but the eruptions can be large and dangerous.
The complicated structure, filled with molten magma, can explode in spectacular, dangerous ways. Massive boulders can be shot outwards, landing hundreds of metres from the volcano. Also, large amount of ash can be released into the atmosphere. This ash can disrupt plant growth wherever it lands, and it can influence the climate by blocking sunlight from Earth’s surface.
Many composite volcanoes are famous, including Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount Vesuvius in Italy, and Mount St. Helens in Washington, USA. Most of Canada’s most famous volcanoes, including Mount Garibaldi and Mount Edziza, are composite volcanoes.
Figure E.1.3.10 – Shield volcanoes are low volcanoes made of layers of oozing lava.
Shield Volcanoes
Shield volcanoes are low and flat. Their cones are made of flowing lava that oozes from the main vent and cools as it flows away. The magma from a shield volcano is very fluid, which means that it flows long distances before it cools into solid rock. This is why they are so low and very wide at their bases. Often, they are located in or near oceans. Examples of shield volcanoes include Mauna Loa in Hawaii and Skjaldbreidur in Iceland.
Another type of volcanic activity involves volcanic pipes, which are formed when magma very deep below the surface works its way upwards until it hits a pocket of water. The resulting steam produces tremendous pressure in the trapped space. If it has a way to move upward, the pressurized magma-water mixture can shoot upwards faster than the speed of sound, forming an ice cream cone-shaped channel called a pipe. If the magma has lots of magnesium, as it cools, it forms kimberlite.
In western Canada, these kimberlite pipes are the remains of such volcanic activity. A kimberlite pipe in the Northwest Territories is where volcano hunter and Edmontonian Charles Fipke found his riches in diamonds in 1998.
Shield volcanoes are low and flat. Their cones are made of flowing lava that oozes from the main vent and cools as it flows away. The magma from a shield volcano is very fluid, which means that it flows long distances before it cools into solid rock. This is why they are so low and very wide at their bases. Often, they are located in or near oceans. Examples of shield volcanoes include Mauna Loa in Hawaii and Skjaldbreidur in Iceland.
Another type of volcanic activity involves volcanic pipes, which are formed when magma very deep below the surface works its way upwards until it hits a pocket of water. The resulting steam produces tremendous pressure in the trapped space. If it has a way to move upward, the pressurized magma-water mixture can shoot upwards faster than the speed of sound, forming an ice cream cone-shaped channel called a pipe. If the magma has lots of magnesium, as it cools, it forms kimberlite.
In western Canada, these kimberlite pipes are the remains of such volcanic activity. A kimberlite pipe in the Northwest Territories is where volcano hunter and Edmontonian Charles Fipke found his riches in diamonds in 1998.
Connections
Figure E.1.3.11 – Diamonds are one of the most valuable minerals in the world.
Figure E.1.3.12 – Some volcanic pipes can be left uneroded and exposed above ground.
Connections: Charles Fipke
>> Professional Volcano Hunter
Charles Fipke was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1946. After receiving a degree in geology from the University of British Columbia in 1970, he began to travel the world to search for rare and valuable rocks and minerals. He was fascinated with looking for evidence of where these rare finds might be. This led him to the Northwest Territories and a hunt for diamonds.
At the time, geologists knew that diamonds were found in volcanic kimberlite pipes. However, finding these pipes was very difficult if they were not visible on the surface. Many kimberlite pipes have been eroded and filled with sediments. Sometimes, they are visible from an airplane, but they are missed easily if they are covered by accumulations of plant growth.
Figure E.1.3.13 – Diamond mining provides jobs for thousands of Canadians.
Charles Fipke devised a way to analyze rocks and soils to look for certain minerals that appeared near kimberlite pipes. Charles realized that glaciers from recent Ice Ages would have moved the mineral clues far from the kimberlite pipes. From other geologic
clues, he and his partner determined the direction the glaciers had moved, and then they began to trace the movement of the minerals across the tundra. Several years later, they staked a claim near Lac de Gras in the Northwest Territories. In 1998,
the Ekati diamond mine opened, and by a decade later, 8000 kg of diamonds had been taken successfully from the mine! Canada has become the third largest producer of diamonds in the world. Hundreds of jobs have been generated for the First Nations
and other residents of the region.
Charles Fipke was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 2013. Recently, he has sold his remaining interest in the Ekati mine to continue searching for new finds. He turned 70 years old in 2016.
Charles Fipke was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 2013. Recently, he has sold his remaining interest in the Ekati mine to continue searching for new finds. He turned 70 years old in 2016.
Watch More
Watch this video, which was made to celebrate and honour Charles (Chuck) Fipke’s induction into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 2013.
Effects of volcanic eruptions
As you can imagine, the effects of volcanoes vary greatly. People visiting active volcanoes in Hawaii and Iceland can take photos and perhaps buy a souvenir piece of volcanic glass. Volcanoes have been responsible for some of the most deadly natural disasters in history. The result depends on the type of volcano, how it erupts, and the contents of the eruption.
The most recent volcanic eruption to affect Alberta was Mount St. Helens in 1980. This eruption was combined with a 5.1 magnitude earthquake, avalanche, and landslides that killed 57 people and did hundreds of millions of dollars of damage in nearby locations in Washington and Oregon. Ash from the eruption fell on many locations in southern Alberta.
As you can imagine, the effects of volcanoes vary greatly. People visiting active volcanoes in Hawaii and Iceland can take photos and perhaps buy a souvenir piece of volcanic glass. Volcanoes have been responsible for some of the most deadly natural disasters in history. The result depends on the type of volcano, how it erupts, and the contents of the eruption.
The most recent volcanic eruption to affect Alberta was Mount St. Helens in 1980. This eruption was combined with a 5.1 magnitude earthquake, avalanche, and landslides that killed 57 people and did hundreds of millions of dollars of damage in nearby locations in Washington and Oregon. Ash from the eruption fell on many locations in southern Alberta.
Watch More
Mount St. Helens: 30 Years of Change.
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens is so recent that we have excellent footage and interviews with many witnesses, including some who perished in the eruption.
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens is so recent that we have excellent footage and interviews with many witnesses, including some who perished in the eruption.
Volcanic Effects on Alberta
In Alberta, ash falls from eruptions have had huge ecological impact on our province – but a long time ago. Two of the largest ash falls were from the eruptions of Mount Mazama in Oregon and Mount Meager near Vancouver, British Columbia. Mount Mazama’s eruption 8000 years ago (which is now known as Crater Lake) deposited 15 cm of ash across southern Alberta, killing large areas of plant life for several growing seasons. Mount Meager’s eruption 2400 years ago was similar to that of Mount St. Helens in 1980. Winds carried the ash across the Rocky Mountains and into Alberta, again disrupting plant growth.
In Alberta, ash falls from eruptions have had huge ecological impact on our province – but a long time ago. Two of the largest ash falls were from the eruptions of Mount Mazama in Oregon and Mount Meager near Vancouver, British Columbia. Mount Mazama’s eruption 8000 years ago (which is now known as Crater Lake) deposited 15 cm of ash across southern Alberta, killing large areas of plant life for several growing seasons. Mount Meager’s eruption 2400 years ago was similar to that of Mount St. Helens in 1980. Winds carried the ash across the Rocky Mountains and into Alberta, again disrupting plant growth.
Figure E.1.3.15 – Mount Fuji is a beautiful part of the skyline of Fuji City.
Figure E.1.3.16 – Mount Vesuvius towers above the city of Naples, Italy.
Volcanic Effects on the World
Perhaps the most dangerous volcano in the world is Mount Vesuvius in Italy. Vesuvius erupted in the year 79 and buried the town of Pompeii in fiery ash. Vesuvius is still active, and a similar eruption could have serious consequences for the 3 million people living nearby. Volcanoes such as Vesuvius, which are potentially active and near large populations, are called “Decade Volcanoes”. Other volcanoes on this dangerous list of 17 volcanoes include Mount Rainier (near Seattle, Washington) and Volcán de Colima (near Mexico City). They are named Decade Volcanoes because the project to identify threatening volcanoes was part of a United Nations program in the 1990s called “International Decade for Natural Disasters”.
Laki is a volcano in Iceland that erupted in 1783. This eruption is considered to be the deadliest in modern history, with as many as 6 million people dying from its effects. The ash and gases it released caused massive climate change and resulted in ruined crops and starvation throughout the world. It released huge amounts of poisonous gases, killing much of Iceland’s livestock. These gases travelled south across the ocean on wind currents to kill thousands of people throughout Europe.
Perhaps the most dangerous volcano in the world is Mount Vesuvius in Italy. Vesuvius erupted in the year 79 and buried the town of Pompeii in fiery ash. Vesuvius is still active, and a similar eruption could have serious consequences for the 3 million people living nearby. Volcanoes such as Vesuvius, which are potentially active and near large populations, are called “Decade Volcanoes”. Other volcanoes on this dangerous list of 17 volcanoes include Mount Rainier (near Seattle, Washington) and Volcán de Colima (near Mexico City). They are named Decade Volcanoes because the project to identify threatening volcanoes was part of a United Nations program in the 1990s called “International Decade for Natural Disasters”.
Laki is a volcano in Iceland that erupted in 1783. This eruption is considered to be the deadliest in modern history, with as many as 6 million people dying from its effects. The ash and gases it released caused massive climate change and resulted in ruined crops and starvation throughout the world. It released huge amounts of poisonous gases, killing much of Iceland’s livestock. These gases travelled south across the ocean on wind currents to kill thousands of people throughout Europe.
Figure E.1.3.17 – Mt. Tambora’s eruption in 1815 left a crater 6 km across and 1 km deep.
Figure E.1.3.18 – The eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 almost blew apart Krakatau Island.
In 1815, Mount Tambora in Indonesia exploded with the largest eruption ever measured. It was so loud that it was heard 2000 km away! It was incredibly deadly, killing more than 100 000 people. It threw so much ash into the atmosphere that most of Earth’s
climate changed for several years. In fact, 1816 was named “the year without summer” because crops failed and people starved throughout much of the world.
Only 68 years later, Mount Krakatoa erupted in Indonesia. This was another huge explosion that killed tens of thousands and destroyed completely the island the volcano was on.
Only 68 years later, Mount Krakatoa erupted in Indonesia. This was another huge explosion that killed tens of thousands and destroyed completely the island the volcano was on.
Supervolcanoes
The largest volcanic eruptions in Earth’s history occurred in the distant past and are referred to as supervolcanoes. Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming, is actually a simmering supervolcano that last supererupted 640 000 years ago. The most recent super eruption was the Taupotato Volcano in New Zealand. This eruption did tremendous damage, including burying a nearby island in 200 metres of ash.
The largest volcanic eruptions in Earth’s history occurred in the distant past and are referred to as supervolcanoes. Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming, is actually a simmering supervolcano that last supererupted 640 000 years ago. The most recent super eruption was the Taupotato Volcano in New Zealand. This eruption did tremendous damage, including burying a nearby island in 200 metres of ash.
Figure E.1.3.19 – Supervolcanoes such as the one under Yellowstone National Park are much larger than many that have erupted during the past 250 years.
Watch More
Why the Yellowstone Supervolcano Could Be Huge
The Smithsonian explores the possible danger posed by the Yellowstone supervolcano.
The Smithsonian explores the possible danger posed by the Yellowstone supervolcano.
Connections
Connections: Health
>> Volcanic Eruptions and Society
A large eruption of a volcano can cause chaos over hundreds of kilometres. The eruption of a supervolcano can change the world. Interest in the Yellowstone supervolcano is strong enough that both the BBC (the video in the “Watch More” section above) and the CBC (Supervolcano: Yellowstone's Fury - Doc Zone) have made documentaries about the situation. A TV movie speculates on what a supervolcano would be like; “Super Eruption” was released in 2005.
What effects do you think a super eruption in Yellowstone Park would have on Alberta?
>> Volcanic Eruptions and Society
A large eruption of a volcano can cause chaos over hundreds of kilometres. The eruption of a supervolcano can change the world. Interest in the Yellowstone supervolcano is strong enough that both the BBC (the video in the “Watch More” section above) and the CBC (Supervolcano: Yellowstone's Fury - Doc Zone) have made documentaries about the situation. A TV movie speculates on what a supervolcano would be like; “Super Eruption” was released in 2005.
What effects do you think a super eruption in Yellowstone Park would have on Alberta?
Figure E.1.3.20 – Super eruptions can influence the entire planet.
Make sure you have understood everything in this lesson. Use the Self-Check below, and the Self-Check & Lesson Review Tips to
guide your learning.
Unit E Lesson 3 Self-Check
Instructions
Complete the following 6 steps.
Don't skip steps – if you do them in order, you will confirm your
understanding of this lesson and create a study bank for the future.
- DOWNLOAD the self-check quiz by clicking here.
- ANSWER all the questions on the downloaded quiz in the spaces provided. Think carefully before typing your answers. Review this lesson if you need to. Save your quiz when you are done.
- COMPARE your answers with the suggested "Self-Check Quiz Answers" below. WAIT! You didn't skip step 2, did you? It's very important to carefully write out your own answers before checking the suggested answers.
-
REVISE your quiz answers if you need to. If you answered all the questions correctly, you can skip this step. Revise means to change, fix, and add extra notes if you need to. This quiz is NOT FOR MARKS, so it is perfectly OK to correct
any mistakes you made. This will make your self-check quiz an excellent study tool you can use later.
- SAVE your quiz to a folder on your computer, or to your Private Files. That way you will know where it is for later studying.
- CHECK with your teacher if you need to. If after completing all these steps you are still not sure about the questions or your answers, you should ask for more feedback from your teacher. To do this, post in the Course Questions Forum, or send your teacher an email. In either case, attach your completed quiz and ask; "Can you look at this quiz and give me some feedback please?" They will be happy to help you!
Self-Check Time!
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Self-Check Quiz Answers
Click each of the suggested answers below, and carefully compare your answers to the suggested answers.
If you have not done the quiz yet – STOP – and go back to step 1 above. Do not look at the answers without first trying the questions.
A volcano is the escape to the surface of magma that has formed a magma chamber below Earth’s crust.
A violent eruption is caused by a build-up of pressure from hot gases in the magma chamber or above it. When the pressure becomes too great, the rocks above where the pressure has been trapped are blown up and out, causing a violent eruption.
An erupting volcano can be associated with earthquakes. A shockwave can flatten nearby structures, and the eruption can cause avalanches and landslides.
A composite volcano is made of many layers of lava and ash as well as small channels and chambers of magma. This allows for large amounts of pressure to build up over long periods before erupting violently.
You would explain to your sister that volcanoes have occurred in Alberta in the past. Because of the tall Rocky Mountains and the presence of hot springs near Banff and Jasper, volcanic activity is still associated with the province. You might
explain how kimberlite pipes containing diamonds are very important to the mining industry. You could mention that several volcanoes (and a supervolcano) in nearby states and provinces could cover the province with ash, causing huge problems
for everyone, especially the farmers who grow our food.