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What causes volcanoes to erupt, and where do they form?
This Geography scheme of work video supports teachers in delivering an in-depth exploration of volcanoes, linking clearly to prior learning on tectonic plates and mountain formation. Teachers are guided through key terminology, diagrams, and distinctions between different types of volcanoes, helping pupils understand their formation and features; highlighting composite and shield volcanoes.
It introduces core volcanic features while helping teachers emphasise that pupils do not need to memorise plate boundary terms at this stage. Teachers are also supported in explaining the difference between active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes, as well as how to interpret volcano distribution map and the concept of hotspots, where volcanic activity occurs away from plate boundaries.
This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Geography: Mountains teacher videos and helps develop key vocabulary and geographical reasoning in relation to Earth’s most powerful natural features.
See more of our Year 3 and Year 4 Geography scheme of work.
