Explore how humans and wildlife have coexisted for thousands of years in one of the most active earthquake and volcano sites in the world. Students around the world traveled with our researchers and program hosts to the summit of Mt. Novarupta, the largest and most voluminous volcanic eruption.
This four-part ecology program was jointly produced by OPEN, the U.S. Department of Education, Public Television, SERC, and the Weather Channel. Over one-and-a-half million middle and secondary school students worldwide registered to participate. The program for this electronic field trip of the 20th century.
PROGRAM #1: What Is A Volcano?
This program describes the movement of the earth's crust, using the Alaska Peninsula, part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, as a backdrop.
Scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory, a division of the U.S. Geological Survey in Anchorage, tell and demonstrate how they track earthquake and volcanic
activities around the border of the two crustal plates also known as the Ring of Fire. Other active volcanoes in the area are illustrated and
explained. The clues these volcanoes give scientists about activity below the earth's surface are explored.
Curriculum Areas:
Geology
- Geophysics
- Volcanism
- Plate Tectonics
- Earthquakes
Meteorology
- Climate and wind patterns
Internet Support
- Teacher guide (downloadable in pdf format)
- Correlations to national science standards
- Science content links
- Inquiry activities to accompany the program
Internet Resources for Students
- Ask the Experts
- Other field trip sites
- Internet scavenger hunts and more
This is the story of Novarupta, Mt. Katmai and the Valley of 10,000 Smokes. Aerial views and discussions with rangers on location at
Katmai National Park and Preserve illustrate first hand the devastating impact of one of the largest single volcanic eruptions in our history. The program
illustrates the devastating impact of a major volcanic eruption and the corresponding changes to the landscape.
Curriculum Areas:
Geology
- Physical surface changes ash deposits
- River erosion
- Glaciation
- Volcanism
- Crater and Calderas
Internet Support:
- Teacher's Guide (Downloadable in pdf format)
- Internet resources for teachers
- Correlations to national science standards
- Science content links
- Inquiry activities to accompany the program
This field trip looks at Mount Rainier National Park and Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The program compares these two similar, and
still active volcanoes. Students will explore the Mt. St. Helens eruption which occurred on May 20,1980 devastating the area surrounding the
volcano and destroying much of the plant and animal life. A visit to the site of the eruption today, allows us to look at regrowth of plant life and
the reintroduction of animal life to the area. The last major eruption of Mt. Rainier was more than 500 years ago, yet the volcano is still active and
capable of more devastation than Mt. St. Helens, should it erupt in the future.
Curriculum Areas:
Geology
- River erosion and sedimentation
- Ecosystems
- Food chains and interrelationships
Internet Support:
Internet resources for teachers
- Correlations to national science standards
- Science content links
- Inquiry activities to accompany the program
Internet Resources for Students
- Ask an Expert
- Other field trip sites
- Internet scavenger hunts and more
Students travel to Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park and Preserve which is the site of one of the largest seasonal
concentrations of brown bears in the world. The bears are drawn there to feast on migrating salmon in Brooks River. The ecosystem along the
Brooks River with its seasonally abundant salmon is explored along with an archeological overview of the area to better understand the early inhabitants of the
region. The program also looks at how the ecosystem is being preserved while hosting hundreds of visitors each year who fly in by seaplane or
arrive by boat to watch the bears and salmon and to learn of the early Brooks River inhabitants and view the devastation of the Valley of 10,000 Smokes.
Curriculum Areas:
Geology
- River erosion and sedimentation
Archeology
- Evidence of early inhabitants and their lifestyle
Ecosystems
- Food chains
- Balancing the local environment while opening these areas for tourism
Internet Support
Internet resources for teachers
- Correlations to national science standards
- Science content links
- Inquiry activities to accompany the program
Internet Resources for Students
- Ask an Expert
- Other field trip sites
- Internet scavenger hunts and more
