Students will use NASA Satellite data of aerosol optical depth and sulfur dioxide as a tool to find evidence of volcanic activity at Kilauea, HI.

In this 5E’s lesson, students observe maps that show smoke and AOD levels surrounding Fresno, California at the time when the 2020 Creek Fire was burning. Students construct a claim that identifies a relationship between fire-related data and air quality data.

In this lesson, students will explore the effect of aerosols on sky color and visibility by using an interactive virtual model. 

Students will review the NASA Space Place video, "Tectonic Forces", and answer questions about tectonic plates.

Students watch videos and/or review articles related to particulate matter and how this pollutant is monitored and measured, then provide their understanding individually or in groups.

Use the Earth System Data Explorer to analyze data and make a claim about which 2018 eruption was larger, Kilauea, HI or Ambae Island, Vanuatu.

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. 

This content has been moved. You can find it under Exploring Sky Color and Visibility (Interactive Models).

This activity is one of a series in the collection, The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change activities.