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Understanding volcanoes
This Geography video introduces Key stage 2 pupils to volcanoes, helping them understand what they are, how they form and why they erupt. It explains the two main types of volcanoes—tall, steep-sided volcanoes and wide, low volcanoes—and shows how their shapes are linked to the movement of tectonic plates and the type of lava they produce. Pupils also learn about the key features of a volcano, including magma chambers, vents and layers of ash and lava, as well as how hotspots can create volcanoes away from plate boundaries.
The video explores where volcanoes are found, highlighting the ‘ring of fire’, and introduces the terms active, dormant and extinct to describe different volcanic states.
This video makes complex geological processes accessible, ensuring teachers feel confident and prepared to help children explore how volcanoes shape the Earth’s surface.
See more of our Key stage 2 Geography scheme of work.
