Department of Education

Region VI-Western Visayas

Schools Division of of Iloilo City
A.Bonifacio Integrated School

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET in SCIENCE 9

Quarter 3, Week 1-2
Name: _________________________________________Grade & Section: ________________ Score:____________

Parent’s Signature:__________________________________

MELC: Describe the different types of volcanoes and volcanic eruption (S9ES-IIIa-25)
Explain what happens when volcanoes erupt (S9ES-IIIb-28)

The term “volcano” comes from the Latin word vulcanus, which refers to the Roman god of fire, Vulcan. Volcanoes
can range from majestic mountain formations to simple cracks or openings on the ground from which melted rocks,
pyroclastic materials, and gases from deep within the Earth are released to the surface. The melted or molten rocks
below the ground is called magma, while those that reach the ground are called lava. When magma solidifies, the
vent gets clogged and pressure from within the vent builds up. This causes a volcano to erupt, pulverizing the solid
magma. During eruption, magma is ejected as pyroclasts that come in different sizes.

Activity 1.
Give five descriptions of a volcano. Present your answer in a concept map as shown below.

Classification of volcanoes
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has adapted a system where the Philippine volcanoes
as active or inactive. Active volcanoes are those that have a record of eruption within the last 600 years or those
that erupted 10,000 years ago based on analyses of their materials. Inactive volcanoes are those that have not
erupted for the last 10,000 years and their physical form is being changed by agents of weathering and erosion
through formation of deep and long gullies. According to PHIVOLCS, our country has more than a hundred
volcanoes. 23 are active while the rest are inactive.

Activity 2

Study the table below and list down the active and inactive volcanoes.

Active Volcanoes Inactive Volcanoes

Another way to classify volcanoes is by their cones.

Shield volcanoes are formed by the accumulation of lava that oozes out from the volcano. Since non-
viscous lava can flow freely, a broad, slightly domed structure that resembles a warrior’s shield is formed as
shown in the picture. An example of this type is the Mauna Loa in Hawaii.

Cinder cones, on the other hand, are built from ejected lava fragments. They have a steep slope, wide
crater and are the most abundant of the three major volcano types. One example of this type is the
Paricutin in Mexico.

Composite cones or stratovolcanoes are large, nearly perfect sloped structure formed from alternate
solidification of both lava and pyroclastic deposits. One perfect example of this type of cone is our Mayon
Volcano.
Types of volcanic eruptions
Volcanoes are described according to the style of eruption as follows:

a. Phreatic or hydrothermal – is a stream-driven eruption

as the hot rocks come in contact with water. It is shortlived,
characterized by ash columns but may be an onset
of a larger eruption. Shown on the right is our Taal
Volcano in Batangas. (Photo credits: USGS)

b. Phreatomagmatic – is a violent eruption due to the

contact between water and magma. As a result, a large
column of very fine ash and high-speed and sideway
emission of pyroclastics called base surges are
observed.

c. Strombolian - a periodic weak to violent

eruption characterized by fountain lava,
just like the Irazu Volcano in Costa Rica. (Photo credits: USGS)

d. Vulcanian – characterized by tall

eruption columns that reach up to 20 km
high with pyroclastic flow and ashfall
tephra like that of Paricutin Volcano in
Mexico. (Photo credits: USGS)

e. Plinian – excessively explosive

type of eruption of gas and
pyroclastics, just like our Pinatubo
Volcano in Zambales.

Signs of an impending volcanic eruption

According to PHIVOLCS, the government agency tasked with monitoring earthquakes and
volcanoes in the country, the following are commonly observed signs that a volcano
is about to erupt.
1. Increase in the frequency of volcanic quakes with rumbling sounds; occurrence of
volcanic tremors;

2. Increased steaming activity; change in color of steam emission from white to gray
due to entrained ash;

3. Crater glow due to presence of magma at or near the crater;

4. Ground swells (or inflation), ground tilt and ground fissuring due to magma
intrusion;

5. Localized landslides, rockfalls and landslides from the summit area which not
attributable to heavy rains;

6. Noticeable increase in the extent of drying up of vegetation around the volcano's

upper slopes;

7. Increase in the temperature of hot springs, wells (e.g., Bulusan and Canlaon) and
crater lake (e.g., Taal) near the volcano;

8. Noticeable variation in the chemical content of springs, crater lakes within the
vicinity of the volcano;

9. Drying up of springs/wells around the volcano; and,

10. Development of new thermal areas and/or reactivation of old ones; appearance
of solfataras.

Assessment
A. Write BOOM if the statement is correct. Otherwise, change the underlined word to make it correct.

______________________ 1. Inactive volcanoes are those that have a record of eruption within the last 600
years or those that erupted 10,000 years ago based on analyses of their materials

______________________ 2. PHIVOLCS is the government agency tasked with monitoring earthquakes

and volcanoes in our country.
______________________ 3. Inactive volcanoes are those that have not erupted for the last 10,000 years.
______________________ 4. Mayon Volcano is an example of a shield volcano.
______________________ 5. The Mt. Pinatubo 1991 is an example of phreatic volcanic eruption.

B. Place a check mark (/) if it is a sign of impending volcanic eruption. Otherwise, leave it blank.
______ 1. Drying up of springs/wells around the volcano

______ 2. Decrease in the frequency of volcanic quakes with rumbling sounds

______ 3. Occurrence of volcanic tremors;

______ 4. Ground swells (or inflation), ground tilt and ground fissuring due to magma intrusion

______ 5. Crater glow due to presence of magma at or near the crater

C. Complete the table below.

Type of Volcano according to Description Illustration/Drawing
cone shape
1.

2.

3.

Type of Volcanic eruption Description Illustration/ Drawing

1.

2.

3.

4.
5.

Reference: Alvarez, L., Angeles, D., Apurada, H., Carmona, M., Lahorra, O., Marcaida, J.,Olarte, M., Osorio, E.,
Paningbatan, D., Rosales, M. & Delos Santos, M. (2017). Science-Grade 9 Learner’s Module. Department of
Education: Bureau of Learning Resources. Pasig City, Philippines.