Question
Earth's Deformation and Volcanic Eruptions
Scientists can predict volcanic eruptions by monitoring certain surface changes on an active volcano. One type of change they can monitor is called deformation. Scientists can measure deformation by measuring the tilt (angle) of land in relation to the horizon. Magma chambers exist below the surface of a volcano. When a chamber fills with magma it inflates and the land surrounding the chamber is pushed out, in a process called inflation. After an eruption, the chamber deflates, or drops down, in a process called deflation. In the deformation model shown below, the balloon represents a magma chamber.
From left to right, the model titled 'Figure 1. Deformation' shows a volcano just before eruption and a volcano just after eruption. The left volcano shows a large balloon below the surface, labeled 'Inflation', with arrows pointing up labeled 'volcanic eruptions', and the surface is curved up. The right volcano shows a small balloon below the surface, labeled 'Deflation', with arrows pointing down and the surface is curved down.
The graph below represents tilt measurements and eruption data for an active volcano in Hawaii called the Kilauea Volcano. The arrows in the graph represent eruptions.
Constructed Response Question
In Figure 2, the change in tilt measurements before a volcanic eruption is thought to be a result of magma quickly rising to Earth’s surface.
A. Using Figure 1, explain the change in tilt measurements shown in Figure 2 AFTER a volcanic eruption.
B. Explain how scientists can use the tilt measurement data to predict future volcanic eruptions and to help protect people living near the volcano.
Scientists can predict volcanic eruptions by monitoring certain surface changes on an active volcano. One type of change they can monitor is called deformation. Scientists can measure deformation by measuring the tilt (angle) of land in relation to the horizon. Magma chambers exist below the surface of a volcano. When a chamber fills with magma it inflates and the land surrounding the chamber is pushed out, in a process called inflation. After an eruption, the chamber deflates, or drops down, in a process called deflation. In the deformation model shown below, the balloon represents a magma chamber.
From left to right, the model titled 'Figure 1. Deformation' shows a volcano just before eruption and a volcano just after eruption. The left volcano shows a large balloon below the surface, labeled 'Inflation', with arrows pointing up labeled 'volcanic eruptions', and the surface is curved up. The right volcano shows a small balloon below the surface, labeled 'Deflation', with arrows pointing down and the surface is curved down.
The graph below represents tilt measurements and eruption data for an active volcano in Hawaii called the Kilauea Volcano. The arrows in the graph represent eruptions.
Constructed Response Question
In Figure 2, the change in tilt measurements before a volcanic eruption is thought to be a result of magma quickly rising to Earth’s surface.
A. Using Figure 1, explain the change in tilt measurements shown in Figure 2 AFTER a volcanic eruption.
B. Explain how scientists can use the tilt measurement data to predict future volcanic eruptions and to help protect people living near the volcano.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Constructed Response Question**
**A. Using Figure 1, explain the change in tilt measurements shown in Figure 2 AFTER a volcanic eruption.**
After a volcanic eruption, as represented in Figure 1, the magma chamber below the surface of the volcano undergoes deflation. This is depicted by the smaller balloon labeled 'Deflation', which indicates that the magma has been expelled from the chamber during the eruption. As the magma chamber deflates, it creates a downward force, causing the land above it to also move downward, leading to a change in tilt measurements.
In Figure 2, after the eruption occurs, the tilt measurements are expected to show a shift towards a downward tilt. This downward tilt reflects the land's response to the deflation of the magma chamber, as the surface of the volcano curves downward due to the reduction in pressure from the magma that has previously been pushing upward. The downward tilt indicates that there has been a change in the pressure dynamics of the subsurface volcanic system and suggests that the magma has been expelled, confirming that an eruption has occurred.
**B. Explain how scientists can use the tilt measurement data to predict future volcanic eruptions and to help protect people living near the volcano.**
Scientists can monitor tilt measurement data over time to identify patterns and changes associated with volcanic activity. When they observe an increase in upward tilt measurements, as seen before an eruption in Figure 2, it suggests that magma is accumulating in the chamber below the volcano, causing inflation. This increase in tilt acts as an alert signal that an eruption may be imminent.
By analyzing the rate of change in these tilt measurements, scientists can better understand the behavior of the magma chamber and the likelihood of a future eruption. For instance, a rapid increase in tilt could indicate that an eruption might occur soon, while a steady or decreasing tilt could suggest that magma is no longer accumulating, allowing for a more stable period.
This predictive ability is crucial for protecting people living near the volcano. By issuing warnings based on tilt measurements, scientists can alert local populations about potential eruptions, allowing for timely evacuations and safety measures to be put in place. Additionally, understanding the deformation patterns can inform emergency preparedness plans and help authorities in making informed decisions about land use and risk assessment in volcanic regions. Overall, tilt measurement data serves as a vital tool for assessing volcanic hazards and ensuring community safety.
**A. Using Figure 1, explain the change in tilt measurements shown in Figure 2 AFTER a volcanic eruption.**
After a volcanic eruption, as represented in Figure 1, the magma chamber below the surface of the volcano undergoes deflation. This is depicted by the smaller balloon labeled 'Deflation', which indicates that the magma has been expelled from the chamber during the eruption. As the magma chamber deflates, it creates a downward force, causing the land above it to also move downward, leading to a change in tilt measurements.
In Figure 2, after the eruption occurs, the tilt measurements are expected to show a shift towards a downward tilt. This downward tilt reflects the land's response to the deflation of the magma chamber, as the surface of the volcano curves downward due to the reduction in pressure from the magma that has previously been pushing upward. The downward tilt indicates that there has been a change in the pressure dynamics of the subsurface volcanic system and suggests that the magma has been expelled, confirming that an eruption has occurred.
**B. Explain how scientists can use the tilt measurement data to predict future volcanic eruptions and to help protect people living near the volcano.**
Scientists can monitor tilt measurement data over time to identify patterns and changes associated with volcanic activity. When they observe an increase in upward tilt measurements, as seen before an eruption in Figure 2, it suggests that magma is accumulating in the chamber below the volcano, causing inflation. This increase in tilt acts as an alert signal that an eruption may be imminent.
By analyzing the rate of change in these tilt measurements, scientists can better understand the behavior of the magma chamber and the likelihood of a future eruption. For instance, a rapid increase in tilt could indicate that an eruption might occur soon, while a steady or decreasing tilt could suggest that magma is no longer accumulating, allowing for a more stable period.
This predictive ability is crucial for protecting people living near the volcano. By issuing warnings based on tilt measurements, scientists can alert local populations about potential eruptions, allowing for timely evacuations and safety measures to be put in place. Additionally, understanding the deformation patterns can inform emergency preparedness plans and help authorities in making informed decisions about land use and risk assessment in volcanic regions. Overall, tilt measurement data serves as a vital tool for assessing volcanic hazards and ensuring community safety.