The main case study we have used is the eruption of the SOUFRIERE HILLS volcano on MONTSERRAT.
For latest eruption news, try VOLCANO WORLD.
Currently unavailable as the site is being updated is the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE site, which publishes bulletins of volcanic activity and has some mentioned in September 2000 inside a massively detailed ERUPTION INDEX for the whole period of the eruption.
Try VOLCANOLIVE.COM (John Seach's site) for more information on recent activity.
Visit the sites which are linked to above, and answer the following questions:
1. What is the approximate current population of Montserrat, and what was it in 1995 ? What help did the evacuees get ? (see here)
2. Explain how the island was zoned in order to reduce the risk to the population (for useful maps and details, see here)
3. Find an image to show the area of the island which has been affected by pyroclastic flows from the volcano.
4. What have been the effects of the eruption on the shape of the island of Montserrat ?
5. What activity has taken place on the volcano within the last month ?
6. Summarise with bullet points the effects of the eruption on the population, using a series of headings, e.g education, healthcare, housing, water supply
7. How many volcanoes are there on the island of Montserrat ?
Marked out of 20 marks
You will need to open MICROSOFT WORD, and type your answers into a document which can then be saved on the new Curriculum server (remember you now need your password..)
Once you have done the above, try writing answers to the following 'past paper' questions:
1. What is magma and why does it form at subduction zones ? (5 marks)
2. On a volcano, what is a secondary or parasitic cone ? (3 marks)
3. What produces the heat which causes convection currents in the mantle ? (3 marks)
4. Outline 2 pieces of evidence that the continental plates move (4 marks)
5. Describe the world distribution of the major fold mountain belts (4 marks)
6. What is the predominant direction of movement of the Indo-Australian plate ? (2 marks)
7. With the aid of an annotated diagram, explain the layout of the main islands of the Hawaiian archipelago (4 marks)
Total: 25 marks
Some questions adapted from "Geography: Success at A Level" by Kris Spencer (OUP 2000)