Zooming in on the Kilauea volcano
Students will answer questions based on the Science News article "Kilauea curiosities."
Educator Guide: Kilauea Curiosities
Kilauea’s eruption last summer, its largest in 200 years, gave scientists a front-row seat to the volcanic processes that power the planet. In this image from August 5, lava heated to 1000° Celsius pours into the Pacific Ocean, sending a mixture of volcanic gases and evaporated seawater into the air.
HVO/USGS
About this guide
Recent eruptions at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano have given scientists a front-row seat to the volcanic processes that power the planet. Use this guide to introduce students to Kilauea and its explosive nature. Students will find out what scientists have learned from Kilauea — including lessons from chemistry, physics, earth science and biology — and will explore the tools scientists use to monitor volcanoes more generally.
This Guide Includes:
Explore volcanic eruptions, and their devastating aftermath
These discussion prompts explore volcanic explosivity and collapse, the ecosystem and health effects of eruptions and how to keep people safe during natural disasters.
Volcanoes, erupting now?
Students will review volcano monitoring data and learn how to use it to predict possible volcano behavior.