C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Volcanoes & Earthquakes·conceptual

Famous Eruptions & Pangaea

Know about famous eruptions and their global effects: Mount St Helens (1980), Eyjafjallajökull (2010), and how large eruptions can affect weather and climate worldwide; understand that continents were once joined (Pangaea) and have slowly drifted apart

Suggested ages 9–11

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Learning journey

Your child is exploring how Earth's powerful forces work — understanding what causes volcanoes and earthquakes, how scientists monitor them, and how communities prepare for these natural events.

Evidence of understanding

  • Describe at least one famous volcanic eruption and its key effects
  • Explain how volcanic ash and gases in the atmosphere can cool global temperatures
  • State that continents were once joined in a supercontinent and have slowly moved apart over millions of years

Assessment prompt

Can Famous Eruptions & Pangaea tell you about a famous volcanic eruption like Mount St Helens and explain how a really big eruption can send so much ash into the sky that it affects weather around the whole world?

Standards alignment

No external standards are linked to this topic.