Exploding Mountains

• compare before and after pictures of Mt. St. Helens
• observe rivers of lava from volcanoes
• describe the locations of currently erupting volcanoes
• predict the likelihood of a volcano erupting near home

WOW!!! WHAT HAPPENEDTO THIS MOUNTAIN????
(Click directly on the small images to see large pictures) 

This mountain in southwestern Washington is called Mt. Saint Helens. The first picture above was taken before May 18, 1980. The second picture was taken after May 18, 1980. There was a huge explosion caused by energy trapped beneath the ground. (movies)

How much shorter is Mt. Saint Helens after the explosion?

Concept Introduction

1. These exploding mountains, called volcanoes, are found all over the world.

Click on this map for locations and descriptions of current volcanoes
Where is the closest volcano to your home?

Live images from:

Mount St. Helens in Washington State Mt. Ruapehu in New Zealand Soufriere Hills, Montserrat in the West Indies Mount Etna in Italy Mount Stromboli in Italy

Mount Iwate in Japan Volcan de San Salvador in El Salvador Popocatepetl in Mexico (more pictures: one two)

2. When a volcano erupts, it releases rocks that are sooooo hot, they have been melted into a liquid. This stuff is called lava. The lava flows out of the mountain like a river - not of cool water; but of melted rocks at more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in Hawaii.

Concept Extensions

• How many volcanoes are there in the United States? How many in your state? Could you walk to the nearest one after school?
• What would happen if a volcano occured near your home? Draw a picture of what it might be like.
• Could you touch lava? What would happen if it touched a car?  When lava solidifies, it is called igneous rock.