Visiting Volcanologist at Prep

Our Year 4 pupils were treated to a fascinating talk from Dr James Hickey, Senior Lecturer in Geophysics and Volcanology at the University of Exeter.

Dr Hickey began by introducing the different types of volcanoes and the science behind eruptions, explaining the key differences between effusive and explosive eruptions. The children learned how magma rises through the Earth’s crust, forming gas bubbles that determine the power and intensity of an eruption. With the excited children looking on, he demonstrated this concept by adding sugar crystals to lemonade, mimicking how gas bubbles form in magma.

Dr Hickey then put their newfound knowledge to the test with an exciting experiment that used cola bottles to represent magma chambers and Mentos to simulate crystal formations. By altering the number of Mentos and adjusting the bottle opening (simulating the volcano vent size), the children observed how gas buildup affects the force of an eruption. The more gas and pressure, the more explosive the result; just like in real volcanoes.

Dr Hickey’s insights helped to stimulate our pupils’ enthusiasm for volcanoes and explain the importance of volcanologists in being able to predict eruptions and mitigate damage to the surrounding areas. We would like to thank Dr Hickey for sharing his expertise and igniting a passion for volcanology in our young scientists at Truro School Prep.