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Make Your Own Paper Model of a Volcano
by
Tau Rho Alpha and Leslie C. Gordon
Open-File Report 91-115B
Menlo Park, California
This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with
U. S. Geological survey editorial standards. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is
for descriptive purposed only and does not imply endorsement by the U. S. government.
Although the program has been used by the U. S. Geological Survey, no
warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy and functioning of
the program and related program material, nor shall the fact of distribution constitute
any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in connection therewith.
A pdf version of this report is also
available.
- Description
This report contains instructions and a pattern for making a three-dimensional paper
model of a volcano. This model is intended to help students and others visualize a
stratovolcano (inside and out) and to learn some of the terms used by geologists in
describing it. By construction and examining the model, students will obtain a greater
appreciation of the relationship between the internal structure of the volcano and its
exterior shape and features. This exercise may give the student an insight as to how a
stratovolcano is formed. Included in this report are the paper model, instructions for
assembly, educators' guide, and a simple description of volcanoes.
The WWW version of this report includes a QuickTime animation of an erupting volcano.
This animation was extracted from the HyperCard stack that was included with the diskette
version of the original Open-file report, as described in the next paragraph.
Purchasers of the diskette version of this report, which includes all of the text and
graphics, can use HyperCard 2.0 software (not supplied) to change the model (by adding
geologic patterns, symbols, colors, etc.) or to transfer the model to other graphics
software packages. Requirements for the diskette version are: Apple Computer Inc.,
HyperCard 2.0 software and Apple Macintosh Plus or later computer. The original
publication date of this Open-file Report was February 4, 1991. OF 91-115-A, is a paper
copy, with 3 pages. OF 91-115-B comes on a Macintosh 3.5 inch diskette. To order either of
these versions of this report, contact: U. S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services,
P. O. Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225, or call (303) 202-4700
or toll-free 888-ASK-USGS (888-275-8747).
- Paper Model
The pattern for making a paper model of volcano is available in these
formats:
- QuickTime Volcano Eruption Movie
You will need to download a QuickTime player. Follow instructions on the
Apple Site to obtain the QuickTime player for Apple,
Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 computers.
For other platforms, players can be found on WWW sites such as
WWW.SHAREWARE.COM.
- Educators' Guide
The paper model in this report represents a stratovolcano, or composite
volcano. It is the most common type of volcano on Earth. Scientists classify volcanoes
into three main types: cinder cones, shield volcanoes, and stratovolcanoes (composite
volcanoes).
Cinder cones are the smallest and have steep sides that are formed largely by
the piling up of ash, cinders, and rocks. All of these materials are called
pyroclastic ("fire-broken") and have been explosively erupted from the vent of
the volcano. As the material falls back to the ground, it generally piles up to form a
symmetrical, steep-sided cone around the vent. Sunset Crater in Arizona and Paricutin in
Mexico are well-known examples of cinder cones.
Shield volcanoes are generally not explosive and are built by the accumulation
of very fluid lava flows that spread out to produce a mountain with broad, gentle
slopes. Shield volcanoes are the largest of all volcanoes, up to tens of kilometers
across, and thousands of meters high. Kilauea and Mauna Loa Volcanoes in Hawaii are
classic examples of active shield volcanoes.
A stratovolcano is built up of lava flows interlayered with pyroclastic material.
Scientists believe that the layering represents a history of alternating explosive and
quiet eruptions. Young stratovolcanoes are typically steep sided and symmetrically cone
shaped. There are several active stratovolcanoes in North America. Since 1960, Mount Saint
Helens in Washington has become the most familiar. Other will known stratovolcanoes in the
United States include Mount Rainier, Mount Shasta, Mount Mazama (Crater Lake), and Redoubt
Volcano in Alaska. Mount Fuji in Japan and Mount Vesuvius in Italy are other famous
stratovolcanoes.
- Questions for Further Study
- Name some other stratovolcanoes and their locaitons around the world.
- On the paper model, a small town has been built at the foot of the volcano. This is a
common situation around the world. What are some of the problems or hazards the
townspeople might have to face living so close to a colcano? Discuss possible solutions to
these problems with your class.
- What types of rocks are produced by volcanoes? Investigate different volcanic rocks and
their origins. Which types of rocks are associated with each of the three types of
volcanoes discussed above?
- What is another word for the "hole" in the top of the volcano?
- Where is the main vent of the paper model volcano? Can you find a second vent drawn on
the side of the model volcano?
- Why are most volcanoes on Earth cone-shaped?
- Vocabulary
Discuss the meanings and usage of the following words with your class.
| ash |
cinders |
crater |
pyroclastic |
| stratovolcano |
cinder cone |
composite volcano |
lava |
| shield volcano |
vent |
volcanic hazard |
eruption |
- Suggested Reading
Crandell, D. R., and Nichols, D. R., 1987, Volcanic Hazards at Mount Shasta,
California, U. S. Geological Survey General Interest Publication, 21p.
Heliker, C., 1990, volcanic and seismic Hazards on the Island of Hawaii: U. S.
Geological Survey General Interest Publication, 48p.
Simkin, T., tilling, R. I., Taggart, J. N., Jones, W. J., and Spall, H., compilers,
1989, this Dynamic Planet: World Map of Volcanoes, Ear4thquakes, and Plate Tectonics: U.
S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D. C.
Tilling, R. I., 1982, Volcanoes: U. S. Geological Survey General Interest Publication,
45p.
Tilling, R. I., Heliker, C., and Wright, T. L., 1987, Eruptions of Hawaiian volcanoes:
Past, Present and Future: U. S. Geological Survey General Interest Publication, 54p.
Tilling, R. I., Topinka, L., and Swanson, D. A., 1984, revised 1990, Eruptions of Mount
St. Helens: Past, Present, and Future: U. S. Geological Survey General Interest
Publication, 57p.
This document was converted from the HyperCard stack to HTML and QuickTime by John C.
Lahr. (Email: lahr@usgs.gov)
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