Mini Lesson/Activity

Kuril Islands Volcanoes

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Overview

Compare images from two volcanic eruptions in the Kuril Islands which occurred ten years apart and complete a graphic organizer for impacts on different Earth spheres. 

Student Directions

Steps

  1. Examine the images to complete a graphic organizer and answer questions. Check with your instructor on how to submit answers.
    Saryshev Eruption Image - Image Credit:
    Sarychev Eruption June 12,2009
    Image Credit: NASA
    https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/Sarychev_0.jpg
  2. Examine the image snapped from the International Space Station of the Sarychev Volcano in the Kuril Islands which are northeast of Japan. It is a photo of an early stage of eruption on June 12, 2009.
    Earth System Graphic Organizer
    My NASA Data Earth System Graphic Organizer
    https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-08/Earth%20System%20Frayer%20Model%20V.5_Graphic%20Organizer.pdf
  3. Describe the impact you think the eruption could have on the Earth spheres: Atmosphere (air), Biosphere (living things), Cryosphere (ice and snow), Geosphere (land and soil), and Hydrosphere (water). Use the graphic organizer provided. NOTE: You will be filling it in for another image as well. Plan to use a different color or font to tell them apart. 
    Raikoke Eruption - Image Credit: NASA
    Raikoke Eruption June 22, 2019
    Image Credit: NASA
    https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/Raikoke_1.jpg
  4. Now, examine the image (also taken from the International Space Station) of the Raikoke Volcano, also in the Kuril Islands. This eruption occurred on June 22, 2019. 
  5. Describe the impact you think the eruption could have on the Earth spheres: Atmosphere (air), Biosphere (living things), Cryosphere (ice and snow), Geosphere (land and soil), and Hydrosphere (water). Use the same graphic organizer provided. Record your observations for the new volcano in a different font or a different color. 
  6. Compare the two images and use your graphic organizer to answer the following questions.
    Sarychev Eruption June 12, 2009 and Raikoke Eruption June 22, 2019 Image Credits: NASA
    Sarychev Eruption June 12, 2009 and Raikoke Eruption June 22, 2019
    Image Credits: NASA
    https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/inline-images/Compare%20Sarychev%20and%20Raikoke_1.png

    1. Compare the two images. What are the similarities and differences in the images? 
    2. The volcanoes happened approximately 30 km apart. What does this tell you about the area? 
    3. Make a claim about the volcanoes in the area. Use the evidence from the images and give your reasoning.

Sources:

  1. Sarychev Peak Eruption, Kuril Islands. (2009, June 21). NASA Earth Observatory. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/38985/sarychev-peak-eruption-kuril-islands
  2. Voiland, A., Klemetti, E., Carn, S., & Prata, A. (2019, June 24). Raikoke Erupts. NASA Earth Observatory. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145226/raikoke-erupts

Teachers, these mini lessons/student activities are perfect "warm up" tasks that can be used as a hook, bell ringer, exit slip, etc. They take less than a class period to complete. Learn more on the "My NASA Data What are Mini Lessons?" page.

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Grade Band

  • 3-5
  • 6-8

Time

  • 30 minutes

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