Types of volcanoes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can name the key features of volcanoes and explain how composite and shield volcanoes are formed.
Key learning points
- There are two main types of volcano: composite and shield volcanoes.
- Composite volcanoes are usually found at destructive plate boundaries and they are highly explosive volcanoes
- Shield volcanoes are usually found at constructive plate boundaries.
- Some eruptions are explosive, whereas others are effusive.
Keywords
Crust - the outer layer of Earth where our continents and oceans are and is the layer on which we live
Magma - molten or semi-molten rock underground
Mantle - the layer between Earth’s outer core and crust. It is the largest layer of Earth and is mostly semi-molten lava
Destructive plate boundary - a boundary where two tectonic plates move together causing volcanoes and earthquakes
Constructive plate boundary - a boundary where two tectonic plates move apart, causing volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
Common misconception
Lava and magma can be used interchangeably.
Magma is molten rock underground, whereas lava is molten rock above Earth's surface.
Teacher tip
You can model viscosity by pouring honey and water onto a tray and observing which moves faster. This can be an imagined task without equipment too.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the layers of Earth in order, from the surface to the centre?
Q2.What is the mantle mostly made of?
Q3.What is slab pull in tectonic plate movement?
Q4.What is an earthquake?
Q5.What happens at a constructive plate boundary?
Q6.Do tectonic plates float on liquid magma?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Where does magma come from?
Q2.What is the difference between magma and lava?
Q3.Which type of plate boundary is usually linked to explosive volcanic eruptions?
Q4.Which type of volcano is broad and has gently sloping sides?
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Types of volcanoes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Types of volcanoes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Tectonic hazards: Why is Earth restless? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.