Active, Dormant & Extinct
Classify volcanoes as active (could erupt any time), dormant (sleeping but could wake up), or extinct (will not erupt again)
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“If you told your child about a volcano that last erupted 500 years ago, could they explain whether it's active, dormant, or extinct, and why a dormant volcano might still be dangerous?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Classify volcanoes as active (could erupt any time), dormant (sleeping but could wake up), or extinct (will not erupt again)
What to notice. Define active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes • Explain that a dormant volcano is not safe just because it has not erupted recently • Classify a given volcano based on its eruption history
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If you told your child about a volcano that last erupted 500 years ago, could they explain whether it's active, dormant, or extinct, and why a dormant volcano might still be dangerous?
Classify volcanoes as active (could erupt any time), dormant (sleeping but could wake up), or extinct (will not erupt again)
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Check understanding
- Define active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes
- Explain that a dormant volcano is not safe just because it has not erupted recently
- Classify a given volcano based on its eruption history
“If you told your child about a volcano that last erupted 500 years ago, could they explain whether it's active, dormant, or extinct, and why a dormant volcano might still be dangerous?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Volcanoes & Earthquakes
- Age range
- Ages 7–9