Readers Theater Science: Volcanoes

Narrator: Welcome to our reader's theater presentation on the three classic types of volcanoes. We'll explore how they form, what they're made of, and the unique features that set them apart from one another. Let's get started!

Character 1: Hi, I'm Magma. I'm hot, molten rock that's found beneath the Earth's surface. When I erupt out of a volcano, I become lava.

Character 2: I'm Lava. I'm Magma's fiery friend that flows out of a volcano during an eruption. I can reach temperatures of over 1,200°C!

Character 3: Hey, I'm Eruption. I'm the explosive release of lava, ash, and gas from a volcano. When I happen, it can be catastrophic.

Character 4: I'm Chamber. I'm the underground cavity that holds Magma. As more Magma enters the chamber, pressure builds, which can lead to an eruption.

Character 5: I'm Crater. I'm the bowl-shaped depression at the top of a volcano. I'm formed when the top of the volcano collapses during a massive eruption.

Character 6: I'm Tremors. I'm the shaking or vibrating of the ground caused by volcanic activity. I can be felt even before an eruption.

Character 7: Hi, I'm Dormant. I'm a volcano that has not erupted in a long time but still has the potential to erupt again.

Character 8: And I'm Extinct. I'm a volcano that has not erupted in thousands of years and is unlikely to erupt again.

Narrator: Great job, everyone! Now, let's talk about the three classic types of volcanoes.

Character 1: I'll start. I'm Cinder Cone Volcanoes. I'm small and steep-sided with explosive eruptions. I'm made of loose volcanic fragments and have a classic conical shape.

Character 2: I'm Composite Volcanoes, also known as Stratovolcanoes. I'm tall and steep with a symmetrical cone shape. My eruptions can be explosive or effusive, and I'm made of layers of lava, ash, and rock.

Character 3: And I'm Shield Volcanoes. I'm the largest and most gentle of the three types. I have a broad, shield-like shape and my eruptions are typically non-explosive, with lava flowing out in long streams.

Narrator: Thanks for introducing us to the three classic types of volcanoes, and for explaining the important terms associated with volcanoes. Understanding how these geological features form and behave can help us stay safe during an eruption.

Narrator: Welcome to our readers theater on the three classic types of volcanoes. Volcanoes are formed when magma rises to the Earth's surface, causing an eruption. There are three classic types of volcanoes: cinder cone volcanoes, composite volcanoes, and shield volcanoes. Let's explore these types of volcanoes and the science behind them.

Character 1 (magma): I am magma, a hot, molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface. When I rise to the surface, I cause volcanic eruptions.

Character 2 (lava): I am lava, magma that has reached the Earth's surface. I flow out of volcanoes during eruptions.

Character 3 (eruption): I am an eruption, a sudden and violent release of magma and gases from a volcano. My intensity and damage depend on the type of volcano.

Character 4 (chamber): I am a magma chamber, a large pool of magma that feeds a volcano. I am located deep beneath the Earth's surface.

Character 5 (crater): I am a crater, a bowl-shaped depression at the top of a volcano. I am formed by explosive eruptions.

Character 6 (tremors): I am tremors, small earthquakes caused by movement of magma and gases beneath the Earth's surface. I am often a warning sign of an impending volcanic eruption.

Character 7 (dormant): I am a dormant volcano, a volcano that is not currently erupting, but could potentially erupt in the future.

Character 8 (extinct): I am an extinct volcano, a volcano that is no longer active and unlikely to erupt again.

Narrator: Now that we've met our characters, let's explore the three classic types of volcanoes.

Character 1 (magma): Cinder cone volcanoes are the smallest and simplest type of volcano. They are formed from the buildup of ash, cinders, and lava fragments around a single vent. They typically have a steep, conical shape and are only a few hundred meters tall.

Character 2 (lava): Composite volcanoes, also known as stratovolcanoes, are the most common type of volcano. They are formed from alternating layers of lava, ash, and other volcanic debris. They have a tall, steep, and symmetrical cone shape and can reach heights of several thousand meters.

Character 3 (eruption): Shield volcanoes are the largest type of volcano and have a broad, gently sloping shape. They are formed from layers of fluid lava flows that spread out and form a shield-like shape. They can reach heights of several thousand meters and cover a wide area.

Character 4 (chamber): The type of volcano that forms depends on the type of magma and the amount of gas trapped in the magma chamber. If the magma is low in gas content and has a low viscosity, shield volcanoes are formed. If the magma is high in gas content and has a high viscosity, composite volcanoes are formed. If the magma is high in gas content but has a low viscosity, cinder cone volcanoes are formed.

Narrator: And there you have it, the three classic types of volcanoes and the science behind them. We hope you've enjoyed our readers theater and learned something new about volcanoes.Part II Review 
Narrator: The second type of volcano is a composite volcano, also known as a stratovolcano. Composite volcanoes are tall, cone-shaped mountains made up of alternating layers of lava and ash. These volcanoes can be explosive and dangerous, and they are commonly found around the Pacific Ocean, also known as the "Ring of Fire."

Narrator: The third type of volcano is a shield volcano. Shield volcanoes are broad, gently sloping mountains made up of many layers of lava flows. These volcanoes are typically not as explosive as composite volcanoes and can produce long, steady lava flows that can travel great distances. Shield volcanoes are found in areas like Hawaii and Iceland.

Magma: I'm the molten rock beneath the Earth's surface that eventually rises and erupts from volcanoes.

Lava: And I'm magma that has erupted from a volcano and is now flowing on the surface.

Eruption: And I'm the explosive release of lava, ash, and gas from a volcano.

Chamber: I'm the underground cavity where magma collects before an eruption.

Crater: And I'm the opening at the top of a volcano where lava, ash, and gas are ejected.

Tremors: And I'm the shaking or vibrations of the ground caused by volcanic activity.

Dormant: I'm a volcano that is currently inactive, but could potentially erupt again in the future.

Extinct: And I'm a volcano that is no longer active and is unlikely to ever erupt again.

Glossary:

• Magma: Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface that eventually rises and erupts from volcanoes.
• Lava: Magma that has erupted from a volcano and is now flowing on the surface.
• Eruption: The explosive release of lava, ash, and gas from a volcano.
• Chamber: The underground cavity where magma collects before an eruption.
• Crater: The opening at the top of a volcano where lava, ash, and gas are ejected.
• Tremors: Shaking or vibrations of the ground caused by volcanic activity.
• Dormant: A volcano that is currently inactive, but could potentially erupt again in the future.
• Extinct: A volcano that is no longer active and is unlikely to ever erupt again.
• Composite volcano: A tall, cone-shaped mountain made up of alternating layers of lava and ash.
• Shield volcano: A broad, gently sloping mountain made up of many layers of lava flows.
• Cinder cone volcano: A small, steep-sided volcano made up of loose, fragmented volcanic material.

A Reader's Theater on the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the Destruction of Pompeii:

Title: The Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

Characters:

• Lucius, a wealthy merchant living in Pompeii
• Julia, Lucius’ daughter
• Marcus, Lucius’ neighbor and friend
• Flavia, Marcus’ wife
• Publius, a Roman soldier
• Pliny, a naturalist and scientist

Narrator: It is the year 79 AD. The Roman city of Pompeii is a bustling metropolis with a population of over 10,000 people. The city sits at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, a dormant volcano that has not erupted for centuries. But that is about to change.

(Lucius and Marcus are walking down the street)

Lucius: What a beautiful day, Marcus. It's hard to believe that anything bad could ever happen in this peaceful city.

Marcus: I agree, Lucius. We are lucky to live in such a wonderful place.

(Flavia joins them)

Flavia: Good morning, Lucius and Marcus. Have you heard the news?

Lucius: No, what news?

Flavia: There have been tremors in the earth for days now. Some say it’s a sign that Vesuvius may be waking up.

Marcus: Waking up? But it's been dormant for so long.

(Flavia nods)

Flavia: That's what makes it so dangerous. We don't know what to expect.

(Lucius’ daughter Julia runs up to them)

Julia: Father! Have you seen the sky?

Lucius: What do you mean, Julia?

Julia: Look! (Points to the sky, which is turning dark)

Marcus: What is happening? Why is the sky turning black?

Publius: (enters) Everyone, we must evacuate the city at once! Vesuvius has erupted!

Lucius: (in disbelief) Erupted? But how can that be?

Publius: The ash and smoke are spreading rapidly. We must go now if we want to survive.

Flavia: (panicking) But what about our homes? Our belongings?

Publius: There's no time. Grab what you can and leave.

(Julia and Lucius rush offstage)

Marcus: We must follow Publius. He knows the way out.

(Pliny enters)

Pliny: Everyone, we must hurry! The eruption is getting worse by the minute.

Marcus: Pliny, what are you doing here?

Pliny: I have come to study the volcano. I fear this may be my last chance to learn about its behavior.

Flavia: Your last chance? What do you mean?

Pliny: I fear that Vesuvius will soon claim my life.

(Loud rumbling and explosion)

Marcus: (yelling) We must move faster! The eruption is getting closer!

(All characters run offstage as sound effects of eruption play)

Narrator: The eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the city of Pompeii under layers of ash and pumice, preserving it for centuries until its rediscovery in the 18th century. The tragedy claimed the lives of thousands of people, including Pliny the Elder, who died while studying the volcano's behavior.

Glossary:

• Tremors: shaking movements of the earth caused by volcanic activity
• Ash: small, fine particles released during a volcanic eruption
• Pumice: a type of rock formed from volcanic ash and lava
• Naturalist: a scientist who studies the natural world
• Eruption: the sudden release of gas, ash, and lava from a volcanoTephra: rock fragments and particles ejected by a volcanic eruption.
• Pyroclastic flow: a dense, fast-moving flow of tephra, ash, and hot gases that can travel down the slopes of a volcano during an eruption.
• Ash fall: the deposition of volcanic ash from the atmosphere onto the ground after an eruption.
• Lahar: a fast-moving mudflow or debris flow of volcanic ash and water.
• Pumice: a light, porous volcanic rock that forms during explosive eruptions.
• Vesuvius: a stratovolcano in Italy that famously erupted in 79 AD, burying the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash and pumice.
• Plinian eruption: a type of explosive volcanic eruption characterized by a tall eruption column and a high volume of ash and pumice.
• Pyroclastic surge: a dense, fast-moving cloud of hot gas and tephra that moves radially away from the eruptive vent during an explosive volcanic eruption.
• Volcanic lightning: a type of lightning that occurs during volcanic eruptions, typically caused by the buildup of static electricity in the eruption column.
• Volcanic tremor: a continuous, low-amplitude shaking of the ground caused by the movement of magma beneath a volcano.