What are Volcanic Hazards?
In this video we will describe the most common types of volcanic hazards associated with a volcanic eruption. We begin by considering the threat of an eruption from a Cascade Range volcano for citizens of Portland and Seattle. These are examples of composite volcanoes. Eruptions of these types of volcanoes produce tephra, lahars, pyroclastic flows and lava. Tephra represents the debris blasted into the air and can range in size from tiny glass shards to large blocks blasted out of the volcanic cone. When tephra combines with water it forms lahars that can transport all sizes of debris. Fast moving, toxic pyroclastic flows are among the most dangerous volcanic hazards. Lava plays a relatively modest role in eruptions of composite volcanoes but is a common product of shield volcanoes such as those in Hawaii.

Tectonic Plates
In this video we describe the three major compositional layers of Earth and the characteristics of a tectonic plate which is composed of lithosphere representing parts of the crust and mantle. The lithosphere is divided into pieces we call tectonic plates. Ah, you say, but can you demonstrate what you mean using an orange? Why, yes, yes we can. After the orange demo, we illustrate how to use maps of earthquake locations to draw outlines of Earth's major tectonic plates and give them names. Following the video we want you to be able to take a blank map of the world and draw a reasonable sketch of where the major plate boundaries are located.

Glacial Landforms
In this video we review the principal landforms created by glacial erosion (cirques, arêtes, striations, U-shaped valleys, fjords) and deposition (till, moraine, drumlins, eskers, kettle lakes, outwash plain, erratics). We discuss how a pair of glacial erosion processes - plucking, abrasion - work to break down rocks and modify the landscape. We compare and contrast glacial deposits made up of an unsorted mix of clay, sand and boulders and those that have been generated by running water. Finally, we start and finish the video by trying to figure out how a giant boulder ended up jammed in among the trees in Yellowstone National Park. The video ends with a short review quiz that asks you to identify four images of different landforms.

Tsunami Caught on Camera
A British Documentary on the Boxing Day Tsunami that hit Asia in 2004

Brinicle / Icy Finger of Death- Frozen Planet
Time-lapse footage of salt water being excluded from the sea ice and sinking & freezing

Yosemite Nature Notes - 10 - Rock Fall
Explanation of rock falls & footage of rock fall caught by tourists

Building Floats down I-24 in Nashville
Video shows a building floating down the flooded interstate

Pyroclastic Flow in Japan: Maurice and Katia Kraft
Overview of the work by the Krafts in filming volcanoes, include footage of the pyroclastic flow that killed them on Mt. Unzen, Japan in 1991

Reaction of Granite to HCl
A piece of granite is tested for reaction to dilute, cold, HCl. As granite is composed of a number of minerals, this "acid test" should reveal whether or not significant calcite is present in this rock. Without specific instruction, many students would not be able to predict whether a chemical reaction should be seen, or not. Good example of experimental science to determine an answer by observation.

The "Acid Test" - Reaction of Calcite
The mineral calcite is tested against a cold, dilute (10%) solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl). Observation reveals a reaction that is characteristic of this mineral, and helps in identifying calcite.