From: wecooks@ix.netcom.com
Subject: Re: Modeling volcanoes
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 1997 18:21:04 -0500 (CDT)
Great idea! Thanks for sharing! I was too lazy to make models. We just used pictures and protractors to do the project! This sounds great for a longer project. janet On 07/11/97 20:09:21 you wrote: > >We have been experimenting a lot with modeling volcanoes and we >thought you might like to know what we've learned. We make our >volcanoes with clay and with shallow craters. We give the >students a very good picture of Olympus mons that really shows >the shape of the volcano in a close-up view, and ask them to make >the models as realistic as possible. That works fine, but we >were unhappy with getting it to erupt. We used vinegar and >baking soda. It works well but the action is much more like an >eruptive volcano. Olympus mons is a shield volcano where the >lava gently bubbled over the sides to give that gentle slope. We >discovered that a tablespoon of water, enough cornstarch to >thicken it, and an Alka Seltzer tablet works well. This bubbles >like a shield volcano and the "lava" just spills over the sides. >We add food coloring to make it more realistic. The cornstarch >hardens rapidly, and if you do this several times you can see how >the volcano shapes itself somewhat like Olympus mons. > >