Readings and Articles
For this module, please:
- Read ALL of Chapter 8 (5th edition) or Chapter 7 (4th edition): Volcanic Activity.
- Focus on volcano types, Section 8.3 (Section 7.3, 4th edition) as it supplements the types identified in the lecture.
- Relate Section 8.4 (7.4, 4th edition) back to the module on Plate Tectonics.
- Read about Caldera Eruptions, Section 8.5 (7.5, 4th edition). These will not be covered in the Module Lecture but you should know how we know these volcanoes are still active.
- Summarize Section 8.8 (7.8 5th edition) on what volcanic features predict an impending eruption, what type of short term warnings exist, can volcanoes erupt without warning, and what are the long term threats posted by a potentially active volcanoes.
- Read pages 162-163 (156-157, 4th edition) in Chapter 5, the Nevada Del Ruiz eruption. How did humans turn this volcano into a natural hazard?
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Read this NPS.gov article on the Hawai’I Volcanoes Fire Regime: “Native Plants Help Fire-proof Vulnerable Park Ecosystems.” You can read this now or wait until it comes up in the Module Lecture under “Secondary Effects.”
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Watch the History Channel’s short movie: “Mega Disasters – American Volcano” about the effect of lahars (4:03 minutes).This video has no transcript (and the narrator is a little overwrought); you may alternatively read this article on the hazards of Mount Rainer. You can watch/read this now or wait until it comes up in the Module Lecture under “Secondary Effects.”
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Listen to the NPR story: “Remembering Krakatoa's Cataclysm” Click the Real Audio or Windows Media link in the top middle of the page to listen to the story. You can listen this now or wait until it comes up in the Module Lecture under “Case Studies.”
A live image of Mt. St. Helens--the volcano is not visible at night, or in rain or fog. (Photo: USGS.) Click the image to learn more about Mt. St. Helens.
Additional resources you may check out:
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
- USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory
- USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
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Visit the USGS educational website on Volcanoes and Volcanic Hazards: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hazards/index.php
In case you are bored this weekend:
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Read The Control of Nature by John McPhee, Section 2 on controlling the lava flows in Iceland.
- Rent Dante’s Peak (1997) with Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton. The movie is not scientifically accurate because it depicts an unrealistic combination of volcanic hazards (they wouldn't all happen at the same time at a single volcano). However, it does provide a fairly realistic sense of the hazards associated with volcanoes.
- Read Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883 , by Simon Winchester (2003). This book delves into the history of the wildest volcanic eruption in recorded history—and examines the role of media in quickly reporting one of the first instances of “breaking world news.” You can purchase it at any bookstore or check it out of the IUPUI library or other branch libraries
- View the Mt. St. Helens Volcanocam. This provides a live image of Mt. St. Helens--who knows, maybe you will see an eruption from your desktop! The webcam doesn't work at night (sorry the volcano is not lit up by floodlights) or in fog.
- Watch the Southpark Episode called “Volcano” and/or the Simpsons episode called “She Used to be My Girl.” What’s wrong with these images of volcanoes?