EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES:

Create a Visual Model

S T E M

Teacher Guidelines ▶ pages 1 – 2

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Instructional Pages ▶ pages 3 – 5
Activity Page ▶ pages 6 – 7
Practice Page ▶ page 8
GRADE Homework Page
Answer Key
▶
▶
page 9
pages 10 – 11
 Classroom Procedure:
1. Begin by showing students a video of a live volcano
eruption or earthquake. Ask students if they know what
happens to the Earth to make those happen.
2. While reading the content pages, reinforce vocabulary,
and give students additional examples of Earthquake
and Volcanoes to help them practice. Use the Additional
Resources to enhance understanding.
3. Introduce notes on Earthquake and Volcanoes.
4. Follow the Activity page with students. Have students
work with a partner on the activity.
5. Distribute the Practice page. Have students work
independently or with a partner on the activity. Be sure
to follow lab safety rules when working with chemicals
(baking soda, vinegar, etc.). This experiment is best
done outside. It can be very messy!
6. Distribute the Homework page. Go over answers at the
beginning of the next class. In closing, ask students
to share which experiment students enjoyed the most.
Allow for responses and discussion. Why do scientists
use models to represent Earth’s events? How do models
help scientists to understand the working of earthquakes
and volcanoes? How accurate is your model to an actual
event seen on a video? What other ways can models be
used?
*Lessons are aligned to meet the education objectives and goals of
most states. For more information on your state objectives, contact
your local Board of Education or Department of Education in your state.
Lesson Title: Earthquakes and Volcanoes:
Create a Visual Model
Subject: Science
Approximate Grade Level: 3 – 5
Objectives: Students define and identify
the causes and effects of volcanoes and
earthquakes. Students will demonstrate
through models and experiments, the forces
that cause earthquakes and volcanoes.
Students will create a visual working model
of an earthquake, a seismograph, and a
working model of a volcano.
State Educational Standards* NGSS.2-
ESS1-1, NGSS.4-ESS1-1, NGSS.4-ESS2-2
Class Sessions (45 minutes): 2 – 3
Teaching Materials/Worksheets: Cause
and Effect of Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Content Pages (2), Activity Page (1), Practice
Pages (2), Homework Pages (3)
Student Supplies: (Earthquake 7
Seismograph Model Materials) Medium-
sized cardboard box, Paper or plastic cup,
String, Marker, Scissors, Paper (long printed
receipt paper is best), Tape, Coins, marbles,
small rocks, or other small, heavy objects to
use as weights (Volcano Model Materials)
Plastic cup, Dirt or rocks, Water, Baking
soda, White Vinegar, Dish soap (non-
ammonia), Measuring spoons (tablespoon
and teaspoon), and Washable paint (optional)
Prepare Ahead of Time: Copy of
worksheets & organize supplies to build
models.
Options for Lesson: Choose one experiment if
time constraints do not permit both experiments.
Use the homework as practice in class. This
can be done as a class or independently. Video
the construction and working models. Compare
the working models to other videos of
earthquakes and volcanoes. How well does the
model simulate an actual event?
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 Teacher Notes
In this lesson, students learn about volcanoes and earthquakes by understanding what triggers an
earthquake and how volcanoes form. Students create a working model of an earthquake, a seismograph,
and a volcano to compare the model to an actual event. Students work with a partner to make their own
seismograph and test it during various staged quakes. Students create their own volcano eruption. The
lesson is a hands-on supplement to the Learn Bright Lesson, Earthquakes and Volcanoes.

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Earthquakes & Volcanoes: Create a visual model

Earthquakes
An earthquake is a sudden and quick shaking of the Earth’s surface that causes the land to rise and fall.
When the Earth becomes stressed or tense, it releases the tension through quakes. More than a million
earthquakes happen each year. Most earthquakes are too weak to be felt by humans and occur nearly
every day. However, some strong earthquakes can cause significant changes to the Earth’s surface. Most
earthquakes last for less than a minute, even though they seem much longer to us!
What causes an earthquake?
An earthquake is caused by movements in the Earth’s crust.
The Earth comprises four major layers: inner core, outer
core, mantle, and crust. Think of the crust and
top of the mantle like the skin of the Earth.
Instead of one big piece of skin like ours, it
is made up of parts like a puzzle called tectonic
plates. Tectonic plates are massive pieces of rock that
slide back and forth under the Earth’s surface. These
pieces bump together and are constantly moving ( even
though it is only a few centimeters a year). The edges
around the tectonic plates are called plate boundaries.
Just like our skin moves or flexes with the muscles in our body, the skin of the Earth also moves. In fact,
these pieces of the Earth bump into each other and slide past each other. Plate boundaries have faults.
Faults are cracks caused by the constant motion of rock moving. When the faults get stuck, they build up
pressure. When they unstick, the plates move, causing earthquakes to happen. These vertical or lateral
movements are the source of earthquakes as they slip and collapse on one another.

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Can we predict earthquakes? You would think with all of our technology that scientists could figure out
when and where earthquakes will happen, but they can’t! Maybe someday a person will invent something
to predict earthquakes – who knows? It could be you!

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Volcanoes
A volcano is a mountain made of cooled lava,
ash, or other material from previous eruptions.
There are over 1,500 active volcanoes on
Earth, and about 80 of them are under the
oceans. In the US, active volcanoes can be
found in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon,
and Washington. The world’s largest active
volcano is Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
What causes volcanoes?
Just like earthquakes, volcanoes are caused
by movements of the Earth’s crust. Volcanoes
are formed when magma reaches its way to
the surface of the Earth. Magma is a scorching
liquid rock inside a volcano. Once the magma
reaches the surface of the Earth, it spews forth as lava. Lava is magma that flows out of a volcano.
Repeating this process of magma coming to the surface and erupting out as lava and cooling to rock is
what forms a volcano. The more this happens, the larger the volcano.
Gas bubbles inside the magma expand and make the pressure inside the volcano build up. Once the
pressure builds up too much, it wants to get out. The gas pressure pushes on the crust and can escape
out at weak spots. Eruptions happen when the gas bursts through the weak spot allowing the magma to
exit the volcano.Types of Volcanoes:

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has not erupted for thousands of no erupted in a long time, but it recently erupted and may erupt
years and probably will not erupt could erupt in the future. again soon.
again.

Earthquakes and volcanoes are results of the movement of the Earth. In both cases, pressure builds up
just under the surface resulting in a reaction. An earthquake reacts by shifting and shaking while a volcano
reacts by releasing magma. While two different events, sometimes one will occur after the other if the
amount of pressure released causes significant changes to the rock underneath the Earth’s surface.

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 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

Instructions: Scientists can measure and record the seismic waves made by an earthquake using an
instrument called a seismograph. Follow the steps below to build a model of a seismograph.
Build a Model of a Seismograph
• Cut all flaps off the cardboard box.
• Stand the box up on one of the smaller sides.
• Poke two holes opposite each other near the rim of the cup.
• Tie a piece of string, slightly longer than the length of the box, to each hole.
• Poke two holes in the top of the box, making sure they are the same distance apart as the holes
in the cup.
• Push the two pieces of string through the holes and tie them together on the top of the box, so
the cup hangs down inside the box.
• The bottom of the cup should be one inch above the bottom of the box.
• Poke a small hole in the center of the bottom of the cup.
• Remove the cap from the marker, and push the marker through the hole, so its tip just barely
touches the bottom of the box.
• Fill the cup with coins or rocks, keep the marker vertical.
• Cut strips of paper in equal lengths. Tape the strips together end to end, to make one long strip.
• Cut two slits wide enough for the paper to fit through on opposite sides of the cardboard box, as
close as possible to the bottom edge.
• Center the marker on the paper strip. Re-hang the cup if necessary.
Simulate and Earthquake and Measure Using a Seismograph!
• Person 1: Stabilize the box with your hands.
• Person 2: Slowly pull the paper strip through the box from one side to the other side.
• Person 1: Shake the box back and forth.
• Person 2: Continues to pull the paper strip through at a constant speed.
• Person 1: Shake the box back and forth, alternating harder and gentler.
• Person 2: Continues to pull the paper strip through at a constant speed until all the paper is used.

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 Practice Name __________________________ Date _________

Instructions: Follow the instructions to create a model of a volcano eruption. Be sure to follow all the lab
safety rules (wear protective goggles, gloves, etc.).
Volcano Eruption!
Fill the cup 2/3 full of water.
Make a mound of dirt or rocks around the cup.
Add 4 – 6 tablespoons of baking soda.
Add 1 teaspoon of dish soap.
Add paint (optional).
Stir ingredients together.
Slowly pour in the vinegar and watch the volcano erupt!

Record your observations of what you observe during the experiment.

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Compare your experimental model of a volcano eruption to videos you have watched. How is your
model like a real volcano? What are some differences?

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Does the model help explain how volcanoes work?
_____________________________________________________________________

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 Practice Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Instructions: Instructions: Follow the instructions to create a model of a volcano eruption. Be sure to
follow all the lab safety rules (wear protective goggles, gloves, etc.) Reiterate the lab safety rules before
the experiment.

Volcano Eruption!
Fill the cup 2/3 full of water.
Make a mound of dirt or rocks around the cup.
Add 4 – 6 tablespoons of baking soda.
Add 1 teaspoon of dish soap.
Add paint (optional).
Stir ingredients together.
Slowly pour in the vinegar and watch the volcano erupt!

Record your observations of what you observe during the experiment.

Observations will vary. Check for completeness and comprehension of the key concepts of volcano
eruptions.____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
Compare your experimental model of a volcano eruption to videos you have watched. How is your
model like a real volcano? What are some differences?
Answers will vary. Check the comparisons for completeness and the conceptual
understanding.________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Does the model help explain how volcanoes work? ________________________________________
_____________________________

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 Homework Name __________________________ Date _________

Instructions: Fill out the chart below. Use the website https://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-
volcano.htm#:~:text=Volcanoes%20are%20grouped%20into%20four,shield%20volcanoes%20
and%20lava%20volcanoes to find information and other sites for images.

Type Description Picture Fun Fact

Cinder Cones

Composite
Volcanoes

Shield
Volcanoes

Lava Volcanoes

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 Homework Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Instructions: Fill out the chart below. Use the website https://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-
volcano.htm#:~:text=Volcanoes%20are%20grouped%20into%20four,shield%20volcanoes%20
and%20lava%20volcanoes to find information and other sites for images.

Type Description Picture Fun Fact

Cinder cones are circular or oval Will vary.
cones made up of small frag-
Cinder Cones ments of lava from a single vent
that have been blown into the
air, cooled, and fallen around the
vent.
Composite volcanoes are
steep-sided volcanoes composed
Composite of many layers of volcanic rocks,
Volcanoes usually made from high-viscosity
lava, ash, and rock debris. Mt.
Rainier and Mount St. Helens are
examples of this type of volcano.
Shield volcanoes are volcanoes
shaped like a bowl or shield
Shield Volca- in the middle with long gentle
noes slopes made by basaltic lava
flows. Basalt lava flows from
these volcanoes are called flood
basalts. The volcanoes that
formed the basalt of the Colum-
bia Plateau were shield volca-
noes.
Lava domes are formed when
erupting lava is too thick to flow
Lava Volcanoes and makes a steep-sided mound
as the lava piles up near the vol-
canic vent. The eruption of Mount
St. Helens in 1980 was caused
in part by a lava dome shifting to
allow explosive gas and steam to
escape from inside the mountain.

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