Teacher video: How are volcanoes formed?

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What causes volcanoes to erupt, and where do they form?

In this Geography video, teachers are supported 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 the children understand their formation and features, highlighting composite and shield volcanoes.

The video 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 differences between active, dormant and extinct volcanoes, how to interpret volcano distribution maps and the concept of hotspots, where volcanic activity occurs away from plate boundaries.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Earth systems videos and helps develop key vocabulary and geographical reasoning in relation to Earth’s most potent natural features.

See more of our Year 3 and Year 4 Geography scheme of work.

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