Volcano Write-Up

Mt St Helens was a successful trip. We were fortunate to have fabulous weather so that we could see the north face of the mountain and the destruction that took place during the 1980 eruption. Since then, we have discussed geologic features, created murals and are in the process of creating the Cascade Range. Wow, lots of scientific understanding is being displayed in the classroom. Let’s stop and write to Benson what we know.

To do:

1. Describe the trip to Benson. We want him to know what you got out of the trip to Mt St Helens. The summary of the trip in your field study book is a great place to get this information.

2. Reinforce your ideas of why it important to go outside to learn. Use specific examples from how you learned on the trip.

3. Let Benson know what you learned:

a. Describe how Ape Caves was formed (illustration with captions or written)

b. Describe how the tree molds in the Trail of Two Forests were formed (illustration with captions)

c. Describe the events that led up to the 1980 Mt St Helens eruption.

d. Describe volcanic hazards (lahar, pyroclastic flow, ash cloud, lava flow)

4. Inform Benson about the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Draw him a diagram that shows the Juan de Fuca plate, the North American Plate, converging plates (the subduction zone), the Oregon/Washington coast line, Portland and the Mt St Helens and Mt Hood. Include arrows that shows where the plate movement.

5. Write a 4-5 sentence description of the process taking place at the Cascadia Subduction Zone and how it is related to the volcanoes in the Cascades.

Important: Please include color in your illustrations/diagrams.