The Process

This WebQuest is designed for a small group of fifth grade students. It can also be completed by an entire class divided up into groups.

These guidelines will help you as you complete your task as volcanic experts.

Step 1: The teacher will divide you and your classmates into groups of three for this project.

Step 2: In order for all three of your team members to understand the process of volcanic eruptions, you must first watch the Volcano Movie and complete the Volcano Fact Sheet (PDF).

- Volcano Movie
http://www.brainpop.com/science/earth/volcanoes/

Step 3: Within each team, you must each take on a specific role. Read the descriptions of the roles and discuss and decide among each other which roles you will take.

ROLES:

- Historian: You are a Hawaiian native and have been intrigued by volcanoes for as long as you can remember. You are devoted to studying the history of the island, including information about Kilauea’s past eruptions. You also have studied past significant volcanic eruptions around the world, such as Pompeii, Mt. St. Helen’s, and Krakatoa. You will need to keep in mind that it would be beneficial to concentrate on the effects the eruptions had on the surrounding civilizations.

- Volcanologist: You have a lot of scientific knowledge about volcanic eruptions—you have studied volcanoes all over the world and know how to predict eruptions and their effects on the land, plants, and animals. During your research, you will need to note the causes, process, and effects (for example, extent of lava flow and ash coverage) of an eruption, as well as the parts of a volcano.

- Emergency Response Specialist: You have dealt with pressing and disastrous community situations in the past, and you know how to deal with emergencies. You will be integral in devising a plan of action that both appeases and informs the community. You will be researching previous emergency action plans and determining the most suitable emergency response plan for Pahala through your research and evaluation of other volcanic emergency plans.

Step 4: Now that you have chosen your roles, you will each need to research and explore the Web sites related to your role (which can be found on the individual role pages) and then print and complete the individual worksheet page using the data you gather from the Web sites. Click on the name of the role you have chosen.

Historian
Volcanologist
Emergency Response Specialist

Step 4: Once you have gathered all your information you will collaborate and share what you found with your group members.

Step 5: Finally, working together, your group will create an Emergency Response Plan using Microsoft Word so that it can be easily reproduced and distributed around the town of Pahala.

This document should:

1. Clearly identify the date of publication and in a short paragraph summarize Mt. Kilauea’s most current volcanic activity status.
2. Identify the members of the community for which it is addressing. For example, is this plan of action for those that live far away from the town center? Those living in the town, or all members?
3. Provide guidelines for the community members on how to stay informed about the eruption status of Mt. Kilauea.
4. Give a detailed description on the types of supplies and tools that should be kept handy in case of an unexpected eruption.
5. Outline where community members should go during and after an eruption.
6. Also outline what is happening inside and outside the volcano during a volcanic eruption.

Step 6: After completing the Emergency Response Plan, your group will work together to create a Public Notice Poster to be hung in the town (and your classroom) telling the community members about the current status of Mt. Kilauea.

The poster should:

1. Clearly identify the date of publication.
2. Address the community members.
3. Tell when the last eruption of Mt. Kilauea took place.
4. Briefly describe the signs of an approaching eruption.
5. Summarize your group’s findings on the current or predicted eruption status.