Volcanoes of the World
Program Description

       Our Volcanoes of the World program includes photos and stories from 12 different journeys we have taken over the last 34 years. This is our most science-based program, which includes erupting volcanoes, extinct volcanoes, volcanic craters, volcanic islands, volcanic rock formations, plus rock climbing on igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock formations. This program includes both physical and political maps to explain each area we visit in Africa, Asia, North America, Central America, South America, and various Pacific Islands.
        On each adventure we set the scene by showing pictures en route to the volcanoes and include wildlife and environmental issues, plus interesting cultures, customs and histories of the people who live near each volcano.
        Volcanoes of the World is an adventure in science, geography, social studies, and history. Students are encouraged to view learning as something that is fun and exciting, and to also think about having their own goals and dreams in life.

60 minute Program Synopsis
(Volcanoes and concepts mentioned by name are underlined)

East Africa, Central Africa
*Physical map of Africa
*Visit East African game parks to see animals
*Climb erupting Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo
*See the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro volcano, Tanzania
*Explore extinct Ngorongoro crater, a national park filled with zebras and prides of lions, Tanzania

Mexico, Guatemala
*Explore Maya pyramids in Mexico and Guatemala
*Learn about the beautiful weavings done by hand on backstrap looms by Maya women, Guatemala
*Explore colorful highland markets, Guatemala
*Climb Atitlan, a cone volcano with two summits, Guatemala
*Climb Acatenango, covered with lapilli, marble sized pebbles ejected in volcanic explosions
*See dramatic night eruptions of Fuego volcano, Guatemala

Islands of Bali, Java and Sumatra in Indonesia
*Physical map shows Ring of Fire, a circle of volcanic activity around the Pacific Ocean
*Bicycle through rice terraces, Indonesia, which has more volcanoes than any other country
*Explore food markets to try unusual foods including smelly but tasty durian fruit
*Explore temples and see huge religious celebrations, Bali
*Interact with long-tailed macaque monkeys
*Climb and camp on top of active Gunung Agung volcano, Bali
*Bicycle inside extinct Batur crater, filled with rainforest and unusual temples, Bali
*Climb and camp on Batok volcano, look inside active Bromo volcanic crater, Java
*Lean how volcanic activity adds minerals and nutrients—natural fertilizers—into our environment
*Visit Lake Toba, the largest volcanic crater in the world, formed by the last supervolcano to erupt on earth, 80,000 years ago, Sumatra

Costa Rica, Nicaragua
*Political map of Central America
*Explore the rainforests of Costa Rica
*See White-faced capuchin monkeys and Scarlet macaws, one of the world’s largest parrots
*Bicycle up Poas volcano into a lush cloud forest environment, Costa Rica
*See night eruptions of Arenal volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Costa Rica
*Bicycle through Nicaragua to see cone and cinder volcanoes
*Explore underground lava tubes, Nicaragua
*See buildings destroyed by earthquakes, view maps and discuss plate tectonics and how it affects volcanic activity

Black Hills, South Dakota
*USA map showing states
*Visit Mount Rushmore and learn about carving of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln
*See Crazy Horse monument still being carved today in granite rock
*Learn that granite is a type of igneous rock, formed by volcanic activity
*Climb dramatic granite rock pinnacles, including Superpin in the Needles
*See how granite is composed of many different types of minerals including beautiful quartz crystals
*Learn about mountain goats, buffalo, pronghorn and prairie dogs
*Discuss 1876 gold rush, pioneer history, and visit colorful Sioux Indian Pow-wows

Wyoming
*Learn about Sioux legend explaining creation of Devils Tower, our nations first National Monument
*Learn how Devils Tower was created underground by volcanic activity and then exposed by erosion
*Climb Devils Tower National Monument via a variety of different cracks
*Bruce sets goal to climb the difficult El Matador crack on Devils Tower for his 50th birthday

Great Basin of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada
*Physical map of the United States with Great Basin
*Visit the Great Basin to learn about sedimentary rock and erosion
*See dramatic sandstone formations, slot canyons and arches in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah
*Climb unusual sandstone towers, Arches National Park, and smooth Wingate sandstone walls, Indian Creek, Utah
*See coyotes and wild horses, Utah, Nevada
*Climb on brightly stripped Aztec sandstone in Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas

Mexico, South Dakota, California, Wyoming
*Climb 2,000-foot limestone (sedimentary) walls to celebrate Tass’ 50th birthday, Mexico
*Climb metamorphic rock, Black Hills, South Dakota
*Climb conglomerate rock, California
*See cliffs made of black obsidian glass formed by volcanic activity, Wyoming

Baja, Mexico
*Physical map of Mexico
*Ocean kayak in the Sea of Cortez to find islands formed by volcanic activity
*See giant cliffs banded with layers of sandstone and conglomerate rock, Espiritu Santo Island
*Learn about Cardon, the tallest species of cactus in the world
*Snorkel with Sea lions and see dolphins and Humpback whales up close
*Learn about volcanic pumice and see lava balls as we climb volcanic islands, Bahia de Los Angeles

Galapagos Islands
*World map with Galapagos Islands
*See the two types of lava, aa and pahoehoe, along with fantastic lava formations and patterns
*Snorkel with Galapagos penguins; learn about the Blue-footed booby, Marine iguanas and the Galapagos tortoise
*Learn how lava tubes are formed
*Snorkel in a lava grotto with Fur seals
*Walk up to Sea lions and learn that Galapagos animals are not afraid of people

Ecuador
*Western Hemisphere map showing Ecuador
*Mountain bike through the Andes searching for one of the world’s highest active volcanoes
*Learn about Inca Indians and visit Machu Picchu in nearby Peru
*Struggle with acclimatization at base of Cotopaxi volcano, 15,000-feet above sea level
*Explore Cotopaxi glacier for a day and watch out for crevasses to better acclimatize
*Climb to top of 19,342-foot Cotopaxi volcano

Wyoming
*Physical map of world showing volcanic activity to guess where most dangerous volcano is located
*See Yellowstone geysers, mineral formations, hot pools and mud pots
*Learn that Yellowstone is the remains of a supervolcano that scientist think may erupt “soon”
*“Soon” to a geologist talking about Yellowstone means probably within 10,000 years
*Get close to elk and Black bears

Hawaii
*Physical map of Pacific Ocean without water showing hundreds of volcanoes throughout Pacific
*Learn big island of Hawaii is a volcano, and also the largest mountain in the world if measured from the bottom of the ocean to the top
*See dramatic night eruptions of Kilauea volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world
*See four-mile long rivers of lava
*Explore older lava beds to find ancient carvings of someone planting crops

Miscellaneous volcano photos to recap program
*Volcanic activity has contributed nutrients and minerals to the earth, helping plants to grow
*Volcanoes have built many of the islands, mountains and rock formations around the world
*Volcanoes are fun and exciting to study and learn about