The next 2 weeks...

This blog post is summarising what we have done for the last 2 weeks' lessons. Basically, Ms J told us that we were to become little teachers- we had to teach the class one topic that Ms J gave us. Here is the list:

1. Alison and Corrine- Internal and External Forces

They taught us using a powerpoint. I have summarised all that they have taught us (or at least what I have written down!), the magma forms under the volcano, then goes up the main vent. The magma pushes towards the crust and goes up the volcano (I guess this is where the 'internal forces' come in), and as I goes up, it becomes hotter. As it is rising, it becomes lava too. The lava can come out of the volcano slowly (as in flow down) or very fast. As the lava cools at an intense heat, it becomes Igneous rocks. That was all that I took down, and it isn't little either! I think they did a great job!

2. Us, Chrystal and Joanne- Distribution of Volcanoes

We also taught using powerpoint slides. If anyone wants the slides, please do not hesitate to tell me, and I'll email you ASAP. Anyway, here is the summarised version of our 'lesson'. Volcanoes are located at the margin of tectonic plates especially in subduction zones. They can be located at hotspots too. Tectonic plates are massive, irregularly shaped slabs of solid rock. Hotspots? They are fixed places within the mantle or oceanic lithosphere. Indonesia has the most number of volcanoes as Indonesia sits on the Ring of Fire. Did you learn anything special that day? :)

3. Esther and Jessica, Nicole and Cherie- Effects and Impacts

I decided that if I summarised these 2 groups together, it would be easier. Esther and Jessica used powerpoint slides while Nicole and Cherie used the board. So, in volcanic eruptions there are long and short term effects. There are positive and negative effects too. Long term effects are hazardous, because they can cause trouble such as lahars, which is mud mixed with lava. They can cause floods, if I am not wrong. For the positive effects, the lava and ash breaks down into sediments which are nutrition to make the soil fertile. However, there are negative effects, too, such as the ash the was erupted could cover the sun, making it dark and causing breathing difficulties for the people. All these link to the factors of an eruption. The factors are:

• quantities of lava, ashand tephra (volcanic materials) released


• how loud the eruption is


• amount of gas released


• the viscosity (Ms J compared water to honey. High- slower, like honey, low- fast, like water. It really worked. Honey is thicker and more concentrate than water. The level of viscosity shows the ability of the materials, and it measures a material's resistance to flow.)

4. Matthea, Natalie and Mildred- Types of volcanoes

They used the white board, and they were so thoughtful to print out the notes for us. It helped a lot. How come never I've thought of itt before? Anyway, the summary. The parts of a volcano are the pipe (conduit), the vent (the opening that the pipe leads to). There is also the crater ( the depression, a bowl-shaped opening), the magma chamber/reservoir (where the magma is stored), the flanks (which is the sides of a volcano), summit (the highest part of the volcano), the ash cloud (made up of powdered rock and lava), and, of course, the lava (magma that has reash=ched the Eatrh's surface). There are 3 different types of volcanoes- Shield volcano, Composite volcano and Cinder Cone volcano. They all have different characteristics.

After everyone has presented, Ms J recapped and then went on to the next topic, whch is rivers. I'll bet this is going to have to do with a little bit of History (because the Cradle of Civilisation is always beside rivers. Wait, have I gotten my facts wrong?). Ms J said that it might clash with what we have learnt in science. I am all prepared to take up the challenge, though, and see what does Geography have to say about rivers!