Experiment | Make Your Own Volcano

Approximate time to complete: 1-2 hours + drying time + questions and journal time

Experiment Card

Click below to download and print this experiment card:

Purpose

When Earth was forming, there was chaos. Even as it started to calm down and take shape, there were volcanoes erupting everywhere. I wonder what a volcano eruption is like.

Materials

• 3 Cups Flour
• 1 ½ Cups Salt
• 1 ½ Cups Water
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Empty Beaker or Cup
• 5mL (1 Tsp) Baking Soda
• 60mL Vinegar
• 3-5 Drops Liquid Dish Soap
• 3-5 Drops Red Food Coloring
• Baking Pan Covered in Foil

*Suggested: Black, Red, and Orange Acrylic Paint + Paint Brushes to Decorate

Procedure

Part 1

1. Mix flour, salt, and water in a large bowl until it turns into dough.
2. Mold your dough into the shape of a volcano around the empty beaker (do this on the foil-covered baking sheet so you do not have to move it later).

3. Pull the plastic beaker out of the volcano, and reshape as needed.

4. Let the volcano dry.
   • Option 1: Leave the volcano out on the counter for a few days.
   • Option 2: Bake the volcano at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-4 hours in the oven.
5. Paint the volcano & let it dry completely (optional).

Part 2

1. If it is not already, put your volcano into a baking pan or bowl.
2. Pour baking soda, liquid dish soap, and red food coloring into the center of the volcano.
3. Mix them together.
4. Pour the vinegar into the center of the volcano.
5. Repeat if you want!

Questions & Further Research

1. What happened when you mixed the baking soda, soap, and food coloring together? What happened when you added the vinegar?
2. Are there any parts of this experiment you could change to cause a different outcome?
3. How is this similar to what happens in a real volcano? (Hint: think back to The First Great Lesson)
4. You just made a volcano out of salt dough. What are real volcanoes made of?
5. Are there volcanoes where you live? Are you sure? (Hint: look up dormant volcanoes)
6. Why do volcanoes form in some places, but not others?