This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on predicting relationships between natural phenomena to help reduce the amount of damage done; protecting habitats and species from volcanoes, for example. Students research a specific volcano in this lesson, and report on its type, activity, impacts of eruptions, and magma types to learn more about ... Full description.

This Why Files article explores volcanoes and volcanic eruptions. Topics covered include: Alaska's Pavlof and its threat to jet engines; Mexico City's restless neighbor, Popocatepetl (El Popo); underground volcanic processes; modern forecasting of eruptions; various volcanic phenomena and features; large flood basalt areas around the world; California's volcanically active area, Long Valley Caldera ... Full description.

Not so long ago, people living near volcanoes had little that might help them to anticipate an eruption. A deep rumble, a puff of smoke, and ash might foreshadow a major volcanic event. Or a volcano might erupt with no warning at all. This interactive feature illustrates some of the types of seismic activity that may preceed an eruption, which modern seismologists are studying in hopes of improving ... Full description.

This site introduces the several methods geologists use to monitor changes in a volcano. These methods assist in forecasting intrusions and eruptions and consist of ground movements, seismicity, gas geochemistry, and geology. As a result of this lesson, students will realize that eruptions have precursor activities, recognize patterns in volcano behavior, and interpret graphical data. This site includes ... Full description.

Earthquake prediction has never been an exact science or an easy job. In 1923, the debate between two Japanese seismologists, Akitune Imamura, and his superior at the University of Tokyo, Professor Omori, over whether a great earthquake was imminent, ended in tragedy as Omori prevailed and no preparations were made for the disaster. In this video segment, a contemporary seismologist tells the story ... Full description.

What causes volcanoes? What role do they play in the formation and maintenance of our planet? And is it ever possible to predict when and where they are about to erupt? This radio broadcast covers the science of volcanology; Earth's layers; the rising up of magma between tectonic plates; the difference between diffusive and explosive volcanoes; and the ongoing cooling of Earth since its formation, ... Full description.

The Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) carries out interdisciplinary scientific investigations in oceanography and atmospheric science. Current PMEL programs focus on open ocean observations in support of long-term monitoring and prediction of the ocean environment on time scales from hours to decades. Studies are conducted to improve our understanding of the complex physical and geochemical ... Full description.

Volcanoes provide spectacular evidence that we are living on a dynamic planet, where land can be created or destroyed without regard to human structures or civilizations. This interactive resource adapted from the National Park Service provides an introduction to the diversity of volcanoes, describes how they form and explains the great variation in their size and shape and in the processes that created ... Full description.

The World-Wide Earthquake Locator provides up-to-date information and detailed dynamic maps of earthquakes across the world within a maximum of 24 hours of their occurence. Features include a current earthquake page with reports listed in chronological order, a catalog query page where users can search the earthquake database and map the results, and an animated map that shows worldwide activity for ... Full description.

This site explores the dual faces of Mother Nature in Hawaii by examining four powerful forces (volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes), focusing on the disastrous impacts as well as lessons of hope and renewal. For each type of disaster, there are explanations of making predictions, types of damage, warning systems, emergency preparation, and survival stories. There are volcano and tsunami ... Full description.