Comparing Volcanic Landforms (Grades 7-8)
Activity 2 compares a shield volcano, a stratovolcano, and a cinder cone. Scales and angles are provided. Students must use the scales to compare the size of the volcanoes. In this activity, the shield volcano is highest. The activity is somewhat misleading. Stratovolcanoes can be higher than shield volcanoes. In fact, the world's highest volcano is a stratovolcano. But, when measured from their bases, Hawaii's shield volcanoes are taller than any of the stratovolcanoes on the mainland or the Ring of Fire. Shield volcanoes are the widest of the three landforms in the activity. Only lava plains are wider than shield volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are recognized by their gentle slopes. Lava plains, not shown in this activity, have more gentle slopes relative to shields.
Directions:
Answer the following questions using the above profiles. Note that the scales are different.
- The cinder cone is _____ feet across and _____ feet high.
- The stratovolcano is _____ miles across and _____ feet high.
- The shield volcano is _____ miles across and _____ feet high.
- Which volcanic landform is tallest?
- Which volcanic landform is widest?
- Which volcanic landform has the most gentle slopes?
- Which volcanic landforms are common to specific tectonic settings?
