Using arts to reconstruct a volcanic eruption
This Learning Scenario has been developed by Teresita Gravina as part of the Europeana DSI-4 project.
This learning scenario is to be integrated in an Astronomy/Earth Sciences class, and tackles the topics of Earth structures, plate tectonics, seismology and volcanoes, and how to design a prevention plan in response to eruptions. Students start by sketching the gulf of Napoli, and discussing the influence of Mount Vesuvius on its landscape. Students learn about past eruptions of Vesuvius, and the types of deposits created by different eruptions. Students then search for images of volcanoes on Europeana Collections. In groups, students then build a timeline of various eruptions, matching the events with the images they found, and reconstruct the eruptions between the years of 1750-1790. All the group work is integrated into one timeline. In the final part of the activity, students create an emergency plan in case of a volcanic eruption; the plan is then presented to other students in school.
