Volcanic Processes

Grade Level: 3–6 Overview

Students learn about volcanic processes
at Cascade volcanoes as they view the
graphics provided, research processes
further and write results on a student page.
Learner Objectives: As an optional activity, students prepare
Students will: a booklet or computer presentation about
● Recognize the scope of geologic each process with an emphasis on process
processes that occur at Cascade interaction. This activity is offered as an
volcanoes alternative to the Understanding Volcanic
● Identify volcanic processes seen in Hazards video that may be unavailable or
photographs inappropriate for your students.
● Understand that, during an eruption, 1
volcanic processes often occur
simultaneously or sequentially.
Vocabulary: Blocks, bombs, crater, debris
Setting: Classroom flow, earthquake, eruption, eruption cloud,
explosive eruption, fractures, fumarole,
hydrothermal alteration, lahar, landslide,
Timeframe: 40 minutes lava, lava dome, lava flow, magma,
pyroclastic flow, tephra, volcano, volcanic
Materials: ash, volcanic gas
● Copies of “Volcanic Processes” student
page Skills: application, interpretation,
● Nine graphics illustrating “Common inference
Volcanic Processes at Cascade Volcanoes”
(computer projection, transparencies, or Benchmarks:
paper copies to students)
See benchmarks in Introduction.
● Library or Internet access

NATIONAL
PARK
SERVICE

Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard-

An Educator's Guide with Emphasis on
Mount Rainier
Prepared in collaboration with the National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
General Information Product 19
Activity last modified: November 21, 2014
Volcanic Processes -continued . . .

Teacher Background
Background information about volcanic processes can be found in the teacher pages that follow.

Procedure
Volcanic Processes
The term volcanic processes refers to eruptive and noneruptive activities that take place on
volcanoes. Students viewing photos individually may get the faulty impression that volcanic
events occur in isolation. During an eruption, volcanic processes often occur simultaneously
or sequentially, as explained in the descriptions below. Keep in mind that one of the objectives
for this activity is this recognition of volcanic processes occuring in a sequence rather than in
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isolation.

1. Display the individual graphics, one through nine and for end review, repeat graphic
one. Convey the written information to students by paraphrasing, reading, or providing
the pages to the students. Alternatively, make copies of each graphic and distribute it to
groups, or at stations around the classroom.

2. Distribute the "Volcano Processes" student page. Students should work in small groups
to research processes further and write definitions and descriptions beside each graphic.

3. Discuss the information learned in student research. Emphasize the wide range of
geologic processes that occur on Cascade volcanoes; identification of volcanic processes
seen in photographs; and knowledge that, during an eruption, volcanic processes often
occur simultaneously or sequentially.

Adaptations

◆ Older students can perform an Internet or library search for information about these
processes. Students then create a volcano book, collage, or computer presentation
with text, definitions, and additional graphics.

Extensions

◆ Students conduct Internet research to discover where these processes are observed
at volcanic eruptions today. Instruct students to write a report about the progression of
volcanic processes noted by observers over the course of an eruption. For a list of
eruptions in progress, visit the Web site for Smithsonian Global Volcanism. The
address is found at Internet Resources.
Volcanic Processes -continued . . .
Assessment
Use the “Volcanic Processes” student page as a learning tool, and your discussion as an
assessment of students’ knowledge about important volcanic processes. After completing
this activity, students should be able to recognize the scope of geologic processes that occur
on Cascade volcanoes; identify volcanic processes seen in photographs; and understand that
during an eruption, volcanic processes often occur simultaneously or sequentally.

References
Harris, S.L., 2005, Fire mountains of the west—the Cascade and Mono Lake
volcanoes: Missoula, Mont., Mountain Press Publishing Company, 454 p.

Kennedi, C.A., Brantley, S.R., Hendley J.W., II, and Stauffer, P.H., 2000, Volcanic ash
fall—a “hard rain” of abrasive particles: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 027–00 3
(revised April 2002), 2 p.

Myers, B., Brantley, S.R., Stauffer, P.H., and Hendley J.W., II, 1998, What are volcano
hazards? (revised July 2004): U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 002–97, 2 p.

Myers, B., and Driedger, C., 2008, Geologic hazards at volcanoes: U.S. Geological Survey
General Information Product 64, poster.

Refer to Internet Resources Page for a list of resources available as a supplement

to this activity.

Photo Credits
Graphic 1. USGS, after Myers, B., and Driedger C., 2008, Geologic Hazards at
Volcanoes, General Information Product 64, poster.
Graphic 2. Photo by Jack Whitnall, May 18, 1980.
Graphic 3. Photo by Christina Heliker, USGS, January 26, 1988.
Graphic 4. Photo by Hugo Moreno, Servecío National de Geologiá y Mineriá, Chile.
Graphic 5. Photo by Willie Scott, USGS, 1995.
Graphic 6. Photo by Richard Janda, USGS,1985.
Graphic 7. Photo by Toni Venzin.
Graphic 8. Photo by Kevin Scott, USGS, March 25, 1999.
Graphic 9. Photo by Steve Brantley, USGS.
 C o m mo n Vo l c a n i c Pro c e s s e s at
C a s c a d e Vo l c a n o e s

Graphic 1—Overview
Common sequences of events at stratovolcanoes:
Before an eruption begins, rising magma opens
cracks (fractures) in rocks beneath the volcano,
commonly causing earthquakes, deformation of the
land surface and gas release. During the onset of an
explosive eruption, volcanic gases in the magma
expand and break magma into tiny pieces called
tephra. After many of the gases have dispersed in 4
the atmosphere, a more fluid lava pool within the
crater rises and flows over the crater lip as a
lava flow. The ensuing lava flows sometimes break
apart on steep volcanic terrain as avalanches of hot
rock and gases. These pyroclastic flows (sometimes
called hot ash flows), melt snow and ice, providing
the water for debris flows and lahars (large debris flows). Pyroclastic flows also
originate from the collapse of eruption columns-the dark column of ash, steam,
and other gases that rises above an explosively erupting volcano. Rocks that have
been weakened by hot acidic groundwater (hydrothermal alteration) become more
susceptible to collapse as a landslide. Volcanoes can also erupt nonexplosively,
without tephra. Where lava is too viscous to flow, it forms a dome-shaped feature
commonly called a lava dome.

Graphic 2—Tephra—Volcanic ash fall from

Mount St. Helens darkens Yakima,
Washington, at noon on May 18, 1980
Explosive eruptions blast fragments of rock high
into the air. Large fragments fall to the ground
near to the volcano, while small fragments create
large eruption clouds capable of traveling
thousands of kilometers (miles) from the volcano.
Volcanic ash clouds are usually nontoxic but have the capability to disrupt peoples'
lives for long periods. Heavy ash fall can collapse buildings, and even minor ash fall
reduces visibility and can damage crops, electronics, and machinery. Aircraft that fly
into a volcanic ash cloud are at great risk of engine failure.
 C o m mo n Vo l c a n i c Pro c e s s e s
at C a s c a d e Vo l c a n o e s - c o n t i n u e d

Graphic 3—Tephra—Volcanic blocks and bombs at

Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
A volcanic block is a solid rock fragment greater than
64 millimeters (2.5 inches) in diameter that was ejected
from a volcano during an explosive eruption. Blocks
commonly consist of solidified pieces of old lava flows
that were part of a volcano’s cone.

By comparison, semi-solid rock can be aerodynamically 5

shaped into a variety of forms called volcanic bombs.

Graphic 4—Lava flow on Villarica

Volcano in Chile
Lava is molten rock that pours or oozes onto the
planet surface. Lava flows cool and harden faster
on the outside (within minutes), than on the
inside, where cooling continues for days
to years.

Graphic 5—Pyroclastic flow on

Montserrat Volcano in the Caribb ean
Pyroclastic flows are avalanches of hot lava
fragments and volcanic gases formed by the
collapse of ash clouds and lava domes and flows.
These flows rush down the mountain at speeds up
to a few hundred kilometers (miles) per hour.
They destroy everything in their path by impact,
incineration, asphyxiation, or burial. Nothing
will survive in the path of a pyroclastic flow.
 C o m mo n Vo l c a n i c Pro c e s s e s at
C a s c a d e Vo l c a n o e s - c o n t i n u e d

Graphic 6—Lahar at Armero, Colombia

The word lahar is an Indonesian term that
describes a mixture of rock, mud, and water
that rushes down the slopes of a volcano and
its river valleys for many miles away from the
volcano and at speeds of up to 60 kilometers
per hour (40 miles per hour). Lahars and their
scaled-down versions, known as debris flows,
once witnessed, are never forgotten. The ground
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shakes and rumbles in a way similar to that of
an approaching train. Dust plumes rise into the air above the flow front and small
pebbles splash skyward. These flows look and behave like a river of wet flowing
concrete and are tan to gray in color.

During volcanic eruptions on snow or glacier-clad volcanoes, hot rocks melt the
snow and ice to produce large amounts of meltwater that can entrain loose rock
and make a lahar. The enormous snow and ice packs on the slopes of Cascade
volcanoes are a particular threat. Approximately 4.4 cubic kilometers (1cubic mile)
of ice and perennial snow (snow that remains from year to year) cover the slopes
of Mount Rainier. That is as much as on all the other Cascade volcanoes combined!
Catastrophic landslides also can trigger lahars.

The above photo of Armero, Colombia, illustrates the devastation caused by lahars
triggered by the November 13, 1985, eruption of the snow and ice-capped Nevado
del Ruiz volcano in Colombia. This lahar traveled at an average velocity of more
than 30 kilometers (20 miles) per hour, so the people in the nearby city of Armero
had more than two hours to climb to the safety of higher ground on nearby valley
walls. However, they had not been advised on evacuation procedures or warned of
the lahar’s approach. More than 20,000 people perished as they slept, while lahars
swept through and buried much of the city.
 C o m mo n Vo l c a n i c Pro c e s s e s at
C a s c a d e Vo l c a n o e s - c o n t i n u e d

Graphic 7—Debris flow in Tren, Canton of

Grissons, Switzerland
At Mount Rainier, small flows of water, mud and
rock debris that stay within park boundaries are
know locally as debris flows. Flows that travel
beyond park boundaries are classified as lahars.
Debris flows commonly occur during noneruptive
times, especially during periods of intense rainfall
or snowmelt, as opposed to lahars, which are 7
generally caused by eruption or landslide activity.

Graphic 8—Landslide at Casita Volcano

in Nicaragua
A landslide, or debris avalanche, is a rapid downhill
movement of rock and overlying material. Volcano
landslides can be small movements of loose debris
on the surface of a volcano or massive collapses of
the entire summit or sides of a volcano. Steep-sided
volcanoes can be especially vulnerable to
landslides, since they are built partially of layers of
loose volcanic rock fragments, which break free
and move downhill. Landslides on volcano slopes
are triggered when eruptions, heavy rainfall, or large
earthquakes occur.

Graphic 9—Hydrothermal Alteration

Weakens Lava Rock at Mount Rainier,
Washington
Some rocks on volcanoes have been altered to soft,
slippery clay minerals because of exposure to
circulating hot, acidic ground water, a process
called hydrothermal alteration. Entire portions of a
volcano can be left susceptible to collapse through
landslides. Altered rock is often visible in the
vicinity of fumaroles, or steam vents on the
volcano’s surface.
 Vo l c a n i c Pro c e s s e s
Instructions: Learn more about each of the volcanic processes listed below. Write definitions
and descriptions beside each graphic.

Volcanic Processes Definitions and Descriptions

Tephra

Lava Flow
8

Pyroclastic
Flow

Lahar or
debris flow

Landslide

Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard–An Educator's Guide: U. S. Geological Survey GIP 19
 Volcanic Processes—Graphic 1

Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard–An Educator's Guide: U. S. Geological Survey GIP 19
 Volcanic Processes —Graphic 2—Tephra—Volcanic ash fall from Mount
St. Helens darkens Yakima, Washington, at noon on May 18, 1980

Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard–An Educator's Guide: U. S. Geological Survey GIP 19
Photo by Jack Whitnall
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 Volcanic Processes—Graphic 3—Tephra—
Volcanic blocks and bombs at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

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Photo by Christina Heliker, USGS

Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard–An Educator's Guide: U. S. Geological Survey GIP 19
 Volcanic Processes—Graphic 4—Lava flow on Villarica Volcano in Chile

Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard–An Educator's Guide: U. S. Geological Survey GIP 19
Photo by Hugo Moreno, Servecio National de Geologia y Mineria, Chile
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 Volcanic Processes—Graphic 5—Pyroclastic flow on Montserrat
Volcano in the Caribbean

Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard–An Educator's Guide: U. S. Geological Survey GIP 19
Photo by Willie Scott, USGS
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Volcanic Processes—Graphic 6—Lahar at Armero, Colombia

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Photo by Richard Janda in 1985, USGS

Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard–An Educator's Guide: U. S. Geological Survey GIP 19
 Volcanic Processes—Graphic 7—Debris flow in Tren, Canton
of Grissons, Switzerland

Photo by Toni Venzin

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Phot
 Volcanic Processes—Graphic 8—Landslide
at Casita Volcano in Nicaragua

Living with a Volcano in Your Backyard–An Educator's Guide: U. S. Geological Survey GIP 19
Photo by Kevin Scott, USGS
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Volcanic Processes—Graphic 9—Hydrothermal Alteration
Weakens Lava Rock at Mount Rainier, Washington

Photo by Steve Brantley, USGS

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