Major volcanic eruptions alter the Earth's radiative balance, as volcanic ash and gas clouds absorb terrestrial radiation and scatter a significant amount of the incoming solar radiation, an effect known as "radiative forcing" that can last from two to three years following a volcanic eruption. This results in reduced temperatures in the troposphere, and changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. ... Full description.

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. The project provides up-to-date worldwide volcanic activity information. Users can access regional maps as well as a map of volcanoes discussed each week. New eruption information is provided ... Full description.

Since the Hawaiian Islands were all created by volcanic activity, it is somewhat surprising that only the island of Hawaii now possesses any active volcanoes. Why did the volcanoes that built the other islands stop erupting and why are those on the big island still active? This video segment, adapted from a NOVA television broadcast, shows how plumes of hot material rise from the Earth's interior ... Full description.

This information about major volcanic eruptions in history covers events from the civilization-destroying explosion at Santorini in about 1630 BC, to the killing cloud of carbon dioxide at Lake Nyos Cameroon in 1986. The site documents the seven deadliest eruptions in history. Other eruptions include Mount Pelee on the island of Martinique in 1902, Mount Saint Helens in Washington State in 1980, Nevado ... Full description.

Classroom activities based on how scientists study active volcanoes on the deep ocean floor. Activities include: locating an earthquake epicenter, recording geological and biological information during an ocean floor traverse, creating cross-section profiles of the ocean floor, and graphing seafloor data. Resources include videos and teacher guides. Full description.

This website allows you to build virtual volcanoes and model their eruptions by changing gas and viscosity levels. Interactive screens define vocabulary and explain volcanic activity of three common volcano categories. Full description.

This is a three-unit guide that provides science content and inquiry-based activities about volcanoes of the Cascade Range, with emphasis placed on Mount Rainier. More than 30 activities, a field guide to geological sites of interest at Mount Rainier National Park, glossary, list of Internet resources, and supplementary information are included. Lessons are interdisciplinary and focus on history of ... Full description.

This site provides an up-to-date list of textual and video educational materials pertaining to volcanoes. The online pamphlets and books, hardcopy books, rental films and videos cover all levels of interest regarding volcanoes. The site furnishes the information or links to information needed to obtain these materials. Full description.

This web site illustrates and describes damage from a tragic lahar triggered by rainfall on Casita Volcano, an inactive cone of San Cristobal Volcano, northwestern Nicaragua. When the side of Casita Volcano collapsed on October 30, 1998, more than 2,000 people were killed within minutes as a large lahar swept over the towns of El Porvenir and Rolando Rodriguez. Links are also available to a photoglossary ... Full description.

This site provides information about Three Sisters, a cluster of closely grouped, glacier-clad volcanoes in the Cascade Range. The site features links to all aspects of the volcano, including its geographic setting, and geologic and eruptive history. Students learn that the Three Sisters appear on Preston's map of Oregon of 1856 and the individual peaks were given the names Mount Faith, Mount Hope, ... Full description.