This resource defines and describes composite volcanoes, stratovolcanoes, subduction-zone volcanoes and composite cones. The information is from different sources and therefore the site gives a broad picture of these forms. The shape of the volcano is described as a function of the type and frequency of eruption and its proximity to plate boundaries. Full description.

This National Geographic news article from July 2002 describes world wide volcanic hazards. Due to the increasing population near dangerous volcanoes, the importance of volcanic monitoring and hazard prevention is essential. This article discusses the difficulty of educating residents about volcanic hazards and establishing programs to prevent disasters. The article also outlines several National ... Full description.

This United States Geological Survey (USGS) on-line publication highlights the volcanic hazards facing the people living on the Island of Hawaii. These hazards include lava flows, explosive eruptions, volcanic smog, earthquakes and tsunamis. This report discusses these hazards, the volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Kilauea, and the work of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to monitor and issue warnings to ... Full description.

At this interactive site the student attempts to rate the eruption of a volcano according to the Volcanic Explosive Index (VEI). After seeing the step by step eruption of an actual volcano, the student is introduced to VEI scale, which includes a description of the eruption, volume of ejected material, plume height, eruption type, duration, total known eruptions with that VEI, and an example. Each ... Full description.

This United States Geological Survey (USGS) on-line publication contains details about the geologic and hydrologic hazards caused by volcanoes, specifically in the U.S. Information and details are provided about hazards such as eruption blasts, volcanic gases, lava and pyroclastic flows, volcano landslides and lahars. Full description.

This interactive from NOVA Online provides a detailed look at the inner workings of one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes, Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Users can click on highlighted points on a crossection of the volcano to see photos and read about its features and eruptive products. Full description.

This portal provides access to educational materials produced by the Cascades Volcano Observatory. The items include news and current events, information on current activity of the Cascades volcanoes, and emergency information in the event of an eruption. There are also frequently-asked-questions features, a glossary, and links to reading materials such as fact sheets and reports of the United States ... Full description.

This web page covers the progress of the early 1960 Kapoho eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, and the damage it caused. The eruption caused havoc in lower Puna, an idyllic rural paradise until the lava fountains and flows covered farm land and villages including Kapoho Village and parts of Koa`e Village. During this time, the volcano's summit deflated and eventually collapsed. This page is part ... Full description.

In 1755, when a deadly earthquake struck the city of Lisbon, no one understood what could cause the ground to shake as it did. Observations of residents at the time indicated that the quake had delivered two distinct types of vibrations. This video segment describes the history of seismology. Topics include the two main types of seismic waves (S- and P-waves), how a seismograph works, and how seismograph ... Full description.

Mars has intrigued people for centuries, in particular because of its potential for extraterrestrial life. Today, technology has advanced to the point that scientists can actually send robots such as those used in NASA's Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission to study Mars. This video segment discusses the MER mission and why scientists are so interested in exploring the red planet. A background essay ... Full description.