In this Geography video, teachers are supported in helping the children explore the positive and negative impacts of living near a volcano, using Mount Etna in Sicily as a case study. The video introduces both historical context and present-day realities of volcanic monitoring and life in volcanic regions.

Teachers are guided in presenting the destructive consequences of an eruption, including loss of life, damage to farmland and ecosystems, air and water pollution and indirect effects such as earthquakes or tsunamis. The video also highlights the benefits of volcanic environments. Pupils are encouraged to consider why people remain in these areas, looking beyond choice to factors such as financial barriers, family ties and economic reliance on the landscape.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Earth systems videos and helps children contextualise their knowledge of volcanoes through real-world human geography.

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

• Geography, Year 3, Why do people live near volcanoes? Lesson 4: What are the effects of a volcanic eruption?
• Geography, Year 3, Why do people live near volcanoes?
• Geography, Y3/4 (A), Why do people live near volcanoes? Y3/4 (A): Lesson 4: What are the effects of a volcanic eruption?
• Geography, Y3/4 (A), Why do people live near volcanoes?