Grade 2 Science Worksheet (Age 9): Volcanoes & Tsunamis — Types, Formation, Causes

Instructions

Read each section carefully and complete the activities. Try your best to answer all the questions about the amazing power of volcanoes and tsunamis!

Part 1: Volcano Fun Facts

Activity A: Match the Volcano!

Draw a line from the volcano type to its description.

Activity B: Fill in the Blanks!

Use the words in the box below to complete each sentence.

1. Hot, melted rock that flows out of a volcano is called _______________.


2. When the ground shakes very hard, it is called an _______________.


3. A tsunami is a series of giant ocean _______________.


4. When the volcano burst open and shot out ash and rock, it _______________.

Part 2: How Volcanic Mountains Form

Volcanoes can build huge mountains over a long time. Put the sentences below in the correct order (1, 2, 3) to explain how this happens.

____ The hot lava cools down and becomes hard rock.

____ Over many, many eruptions, these layers of rock build up higher and wider, forming a mountain.

____ A volcano erupts, sending out lava and ash.

Part 3: The Power of Tsunamis

Activity A: Tsunami Cause

Circle the most common cause of a tsunami.

1. A big rainstorm
2. A powerful earthquake under the ocean
3. A very windy day

Activity B: Tsunami Waves

Compared to normal ocean waves, are tsunami waves different? Circle the correct words in the sentence below.

In the deep ocean, tsunami waves are very ( fast / slow ) and can travel across the whole ocean. When they reach the shore, they become much ( taller / shorter ) than regular waves.

Answer Key

Part 1: Volcano Fun Facts

Activity A: Match the Volcano!

• 1. Shield Volcano → B. Wide and not very steep. It looks like a warrior's shield lying on the ground.
• 2. Cinder Cone Volcano → C. A simple, steep cone shape made from small bits of rock (cinders) that pile up.
• 3. Composite Volcano → A. Very tall and steep, like a big mountain. It's built from many layers of lava and ash.

Activity B: Fill in the Blanks!

1. Hot, melted rock that flows out of a volcano is called lava.
2. When the ground shakes very hard, it is called an earthquake.
3. A tsunami is a series of giant ocean waves.
4. When the volcano burst open and shot out ash and rock, it erupted.

Part 2: How Volcanic Mountains Form

2 The hot lava cools down and becomes hard rock.

3 Over many, many eruptions, these layers of rock build up higher and wider, forming a mountain.

1 A volcano erupts, sending out lava and ash.

Part 3: The Power of Tsunamis

Activity A: Tsunami Cause

The correct answer is b) A powerful earthquake under the ocean.

Activity B: Tsunami Waves

In the deep ocean, tsunami waves are very ( fast ) and can travel across the whole ocean. When they reach the shore, they become much ( taller ) than regular waves.