Teacher Resources

Albuquerque: City of Volcanoes
Objective:
• Know that there are many volcanoes located in Central New Mexico • Know the different types of volcanoes and that these types are distinguished by their different shapes or appearance. • Know that examples of may of these different volcano-types occur in the Albuquerque area and can be seen on the skyline to the north, west, and south.
General Information:
Suggested Grade: 3-9 Group Size: 25-30 Duration: 1or 2 periods of about 40 minutes each
Materials:
• Albuquerque regional map of any kind or Albuquerque City of volcanoes panel from Geoscape poster web site • List of Albuquerque regional volcanoes ( included in this activity) • 1 small can playdoh per volcano for each group of students • Baking soda and vinegar in small paper cups ( 1 each for each group)
Background:
Students, working in groups, will make a specific volcano and locate it on the map of the Albuquerque area. They will then “erupt” their volcanoes in sequence and make a list of the different types of volcanoes that exist in the area.
Procedure:
1. Prepare materials for each group of students. Prior to this activity, cup up or reproduce the list of Albuquerque area volcanoes by type of volcano so that all of the shield volcanoes are one slip of paper and all of the maar volcanoes are on another slip of paper, etc. Acquire playdoh (one to two cans per group of students). Put together large format image of the Albuquerque area ( either print out the panel from the Albuquerque Geoscape web site, use a topographic map or highway map or have your students make their own regional map) 2. Begin this activity by asking the students if they have ever seen a real volcano (most will be amazed to discover that they see volcanoes on the horizon). 3. Discuss the different types of volcanoes using the Types of Volcanoes sheet provided. 4. Form students into groups; have each group draw a slip of paper with a volcano type on it; direct each group to choose one of the volcanoes listed by name and make that volcano out of playdoh. 5. Have each group bring their volcano to the large format image or map of the Albuquerque area and place their volcano on the correct site. 6. Have one person form each group pick up the cup of vinegar and another person pick up the cup of baking soda. 7. Have each group “erupt” their volcano in the proper time sequence based on the age of eruption of their volcano. 8. Finish this activity by reviewing and discussing the model of the volcanoes in the Albuquerque are that you have just produced.
Discussion Questions :
• Are the models of the volcanoes accurate? • Are the eruptions accurate? • What would make the timing of eruption more accurate? • What do you think the eruption must have really been like? What would it have looked like, what were the effects on the landscape, on the plants and animals in the area?
Extensions:
Each student or group can put together a list of all volcanoes in the Albuquerque area listed by type of volcano. Students or groups of students can choose one type of volcano that is in the Albuquerque area to research, find the location of examples elsewhere in the world, and then make a report to the class. Explore how volcanoes have been used by humans (cinder for roads, geothermal energy) and how volcanoes have appeared in the myths and legends from various cultures. Research historic eruptions of particular types of volcanoes; for example shield volcano, (Hawaii), cinder cone (Paricutin, Mexico), composites volcano (Mt. St. Helen, Vesuvius or Krakatau). Draw a picture or write a story about the eruption of one of the volcanoes in the Albuquerque region and how it affected the landscape and the plants and animals living at that time.
Resources:
Volcanoes of New Mexico web site (access through the NM Museum of Natural History and Science web site www.NMnaturalhistory.org Volcanology in New Mexico, Bulletin #18, NMMNHS edited by L.S. Crumpler and S. Lucas, 2001 Volcanoes of North America, edited by C.A. Wood and J. Kienle, Cambridge University Press, 1990.