Volcanoes: Mountains of Fire

What You'll Learn

Volcanoes form where magma from the mantle reaches Earth's surface. Shield volcanoes have gentle slopes with flowing lava, while composite volcanoes are steep with explosive eruptions.

Key Words

sediment
igneous
metamorphic

Materials Needed

cotton balls
food coloring
clear container
rocks
sand

Safety First

Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.
Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic.
Adult supervision recommended.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 — Do

Build a working model of a volcano using baking soda and vinegar. Observe the eruption and explain what causes real volcanic eruptions.

Step 3 — Observe

Draw a detailed diagram of what you observe.

Step 4 — Record

Write a conclusion: what did your results show? Did they match your prediction?

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is the difference between weather and climate?