Volcanoes

Start with the foundations

Volcanoes is a section of the Plate Tectonics unit in Geography. For an introduction to the material on this page, start with the notes in Restless Earth Notes. They describe the structure of the Earth and introduce continental and oceanic plates.

Then read The Geography Of Volcanoes, which describes a volcano's magma chamber, vent and crater. Together, these notes give you terms to look for as you work through the other resources.

Practice with flashcards

The Tectonic landscape flashcards cover the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, plate movement, boundaries and hotspots. Use them after the notes to practice recalling terms and descriptions without looking at the answers first.

The Restless Earth flashcards offer another set of terms, including oceanic and continental crust, convection currents and plate boundaries. Compare any terms you find difficult with the explanations in the notes.

Explore maps and case studies

The Vulcanicity mind map includes a case study of Mount Nyiragongo. The page also lists flashcards on the eruption's primary and secondary impacts. You can use the map to follow the case study, then use the flashcards to practice recalling its details.

Other maps on the page include Hot Spots and Supervolcanoes. Their titles can help you choose an area to explore alongside the broader Plate Tectonics material.

Check your understanding

Once you have worked through some notes, flashcards and maps, use Restless Earth Quiz to practice. Keep a map or deck nearby for a later review, and return to the notes when you want to revisit a term. Try the quiz, then pick a resource to explore further.