
Lava Flow Paths on a Relief Map
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What controls where lava flows down a volcano? The slope and shape of the land guide every eruption. You can model this with a raised relief map and molasses.
Pour molasses from a straw onto the summit of a plastic 3D map. Gravity pulls it downhill just like real lava. Try different starting points along the rift zone to see how the path changes.
Vary the amount and speed of the pour. Compare your flow patterns to real eruptions from the same volcano.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the lava will flow down the volcano in a similar way to how it would in real life.
Method & Materials
You will use a plastic three-dimensional map, molasses, and a straw to simulate a volcanic eruption and observe how lava flows.
You will need a raised relief map, molasses, and a straw.
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See what’s includedResults
This science project is a great way to learn about how lava flows when a volcano erupts. You can observe how the lava flows down the volcano and how different factors, such as the amount of lava and the slope of the volcano, can affect the flow.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting and unique because it allows you to observe how lava flows in a safe and controlled environment.
Also Consider
Experiment variations to consider include varying the amount of lava and the duration of the eruption.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related videos
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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