Volcano Eruption

About this simulation

This model shows magma collecting in a chamber while dissolved gas builds pressure beneath a rock plug. When the pressure beats the plug, the volcano erupts. Students set the pressure in megapascals, choose how sticky the magma is, set the wind and press Erupt now. Runny magma pours out as lava, while sticky magma traps gas and explodes into ash and lava bombs. Readouts show chamber pressure, status, the last eruption rating on the VEI scale and plume height. It helps explain why volcano types and hazards differ.

What students can explore

Set Magma stickiness near 0 percent and press Erupt now to see runny lava flow.
Set Magma stickiness near 100 percent and compare the explosive ash plume.
Raise Eruption pressure and read how Plume height and the Last eruption rating change.
Change Wind from -2 to 4 m/s and watch which way the ash drifts.
Watch Chamber pressure climb in the readout before the volcano erupts by itself.

Learning objectives

1Explain how gas pressure in a magma chamber triggers an eruption.
2Contrast runny and sticky magma and the eruptions each produces.
3Describe how wind spreads volcanic ash.
4Interpret a plume height and a VEI rating as measures of eruption size.

Questions teachers ask

Is the volcano eruption simulation free?

Yes. It is free and works in any modern browser, including whiteboards and tablets. There is no sign-up and nothing to download.

Why are some eruptions explosive and others gentle?

Runny, low-silica magma lets gas escape, so it flows out as lava. Sticky, silica-rich magma traps gas until pressure explodes, throwing out ash and lava bombs.

How do I make the volcano erupt?

Set the Eruption pressure, Magma stickiness and Wind, then press Erupt now. You can also wait while the Chamber pressure readout rises until the volcano erupts on its own.

Is the eruption to scale?

No. Time is compressed so an eruption lasts seconds, and cone height is exaggerated. Plume height uses a published relation, and the VEI comes from the total volume of ejected material.

Embed this simulation

Drop it into your LMS, blog, or class site — free.

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