Grade 6 Volcano Earth Science Questions with Answers
Grade 6 Earth Science Volcanoes Quiz! 20 NGSS Earth science: magma vs lava, shield volcanoes broad slopes, Ring of Fire subduction zones, pyroclastic flows 700°C, VEI explosivity scale, caldera collapse.
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20 Grade 6 volcanoes questions for US middle school Earth science. NGSS MS-ESS2-2 aligned. 70% (14/20) to PASS! Rocks, eruptions, plate tectonics.
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Grade 6 Earth Science Volcano Master! 🌋
You’ve erupted with knowledge: magma chambers, shield volcanoes, Ring of Fire subduction, pyroclastic flows, and VEI explosivity scales.
Perfect NGSS MS-ESS2-2 preparation—future geologist material!
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Strong volcanic foundation building!
Grade 6 volcanoes mastery needs plate boundary review + eruption type diagrams (effusive vs explosive).
Study magma/lava facts—you’ll conquer Earth science next eruption!
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#1. What cools slowly underground → large crystals?
Explanation:Â Granite (batholiths). Slow cooling = visible quartz/feldspar crystals.
#2. What is pyroclastic flow?
Explanation: 300-800°C; 100+ mph. Deadly (Pompeii 79 AD).
#3. Which volcano shape: broad, gentle slopes?
Explanation:Â Basaltic lava flows far (Mauna Loa, HI). Largest volcanoes by volume.
#4. Hot spot volcanoes form where?
Explanation:Â Mantle plume (Hawaii chain). Plate moves over stationary plume.
#5. What type eruption: gentle, flowing lava?
Explanation:Â Low-viscosity basaltic lava (Hawaiian). Red fountains, pahoehoe/aa flows.
#6. Ring of Fire caused by?
Explanation:Â Pacific Plate subducts under others. 452 volcanoes; 75% eruptions/90% earthquakes.
#7. Lahar is volcano-related?
Explanation:Â Volcanic debris + water. Deadly (Nevado del Ruiz 1985: 23K deaths).
#8. Which rock forms from cooled lava?
Explanation:Â Igneous = fire-formed. Extrusive (basalt) vs intrusive (granite).
#9. Which eruption type: steady explosions, lava fragments?
Explanation:Â Stromboli (Italy) “Lighthouse of Mediterranean.” Basaltic, rhythmic.
#10. What collects magma beneath volcano?
Explanation: Magma chamber = underground reservoir feeding eruptions. Pressure builds → eruption.
#11. What is magma?
Explanation: Magma = melted rock beneath Earth’s crust (1,000-1,200°C). Composition: silica, iron, magnesium, oxygen.
#12. Where do most volcanoes form?
Explanation:Â 80%+ at divergent/convergent boundaries. Ring of Fire = 75% world’s volcanoes.
#13. When magma reaches surface, it becomes?
Explanation: Lava flows/erupts through volcano vent. Cools → igneous rock. Temperature 700-1,200°C.
#14. What measures volcano explosivity (VEI)?
Explanation:Â VEI 0-8. Mt St Helens 1980 = VEI 5 (Plinian).
#15. Most silica = most explosive eruptions?
Explanation: Rhyolitic (felsic): thick, traps gas → Plinian explosions (VEI 6-8).
#16. Caldera forms from?
Explanation: Supervolcanoes (Yellowstone). VEI 7-8 eruptions empty chamber → collapse.
#17. What boundary: plates pull apart, volcanoes form?
Explanation:Â Mid-ocean ridges (90% underwater volcanoes). Iceland = divergent land.
#18. Volcanic stages: most likely to erupt first?
Explanation:Â Active = erupting/recently erupted. Dormant = quiet but could erupt. Extinct = no eruption future.
#19. What is volcano opening to surface called?
Explanation:Â Vent = pathway for magma/lava/gas escape. Central vent + flank vents possible.
#20. Mt. Vesuvius destroyed which city (79 AD)?
Explanation:Â Pyroclastic flows buried cities. Ash preserved Roman life (body casts).