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"Teaching people about the world in which we live."

Volcano Worksheet

Instructions: Follow the directions for each part of this worksheet.

Part One: Matching. Match the definitions with the correct words. Write the letter for the definition in front of the matching word for that definition. Use each word only once.

1. __E__ ash                            A) material set down by a natural process
2. __F__ debris                        B) molten volcanic rock below the earth’s surface
3. __I__ lava                           C) their leaves drop off every year
4. __B__ magma                      D) A type of lava flow of super hot rocks, ash and gases
5. __J__ mudflow                    E) very small rock particles ejected from a volcano
6. __C__ deciduous trees         F) accumulation of loose rock and plant fragments
7. __G__ fertilizing                   G) adding to the soil something to help plants grow
8. __H__ ecosystem                 H) all the plants, animals, etc that live in a certain place
9. __D__ pyroclastic flows        I) molten rock at the earth’s surface
10. __A__ deposit                       J) mud, rock, water and debris that flows down valleys

Part Two: Fill in the Blank. Use the words provided below to fill in the blanks in these sentences. Words may be used more then once or not at all.

1. A lava dome is usually a rounded and steep sided formation of thick, hardened lava or magma.
2. An explosive release of steam, usually occurring when water comes into contact with hot rock or magma is called a steam explosion.
3. Bacteria are one celled living creatures that are so small they can only be seen through a microscope.
4. Young insects that don’t have wings yet and look like worms are called larvae.
5. An area of about 230 square miles around Mount St. Helens, the blast zone, was affected by the heat and force of the lateral blast.
6. Pumice is a light colored, frothy volcanic rock that may float in water because of the bubbles trapped inside.
7. Molten material comes to the surface during an eruption from a magma chamber, an underground pocket of magma

Part Three: Crossword Puzzle. Fill in the crossword puzzle to review the story of Mount St. Helens. The numbers correspond to the beginning of each word.

Before May 18, 1980, many kinds of plants and (1) ______________ lived in the old-growth forests and mountain lakes around Mount St. Helens. When the (2) ___________ erupted, a stone filled wind blew down the forest. Many animals died, but some survived under (3) ______________, for example the Pocket Gopher. Some others, like Carpenter Ants, survived because they were hiding in tree (4) ______________. Snow protected small trees and other plants from the (5) _____________.

After the eruption life was hard for the plants and animals, because there was a thick layer of (6) ___________ covering the ground. It wasn’t easy to find shelter and places to nest, or food and (7) _____________.

But all the plants and animals (8) ___________ each other. The Pocket (9) ___________ brought up fertile old soil from below the ash. The (10) ____________ mixed ash into the soil with their big hooves. Birds ate berries and spread (11) _________ in their droppings. New (12) _________, like fireweed and Pearly Everlasting provided food for Elk, Deer and many others. Red Alder and Willow were among the first (13) __________ of a new forest. Even now, after the eruption (14) _________________________ Is a good home for many kinds of plants and animals.

                                                                                                                             14.

This cross word supplied by Mount St Helens National Monument.

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