Hotspots and volcanoes

Skip navigation

> Our Work > Educational resources > Hotspots and volcanoes

Geography Physical processes

This activity introduces students to the hotspots and volcanoes that formed the iconic Galapagos Archipelago.

Introduction English resources Spanish resources Related resources

Tortoises on the slopes of Alcedo volcano, Isabela

Introduction

Learning objectives

To describe and understand the key aspects of volcanoes.
To understand that volcanic activity can occur at hot spots in the earth’s crust.

Students’ outcomes

To describe key aspects of volcanoes.
To understand that the crust is moving over the static hotspot at Galapagos, which means that some islands are much older than others.
To use geographical vocabulary about volcanoes.

Resources in English

Hotspots and volcanoes

Available downloads

Download all resources

Resources in Spanish

Puntos calientes y volcanes

Available downloads

Download all resources

Marine-iguana-male-in-the-breeding-season-on-the-lookout-in-San-Crisobal-©-JP

Geography

Data analysis: Investigating El Niño and the Galapagos

This activity (suitable for GCSE levels) introduces students to El Niño and its impact in Galapagos. Students will also develop their data analysis skills.

View resource

Sunset over Santa Cruz highlands, Galapagos

Geography

The Galapagos climate

This activity introduces students to the climate of Galapagos and how it is influenced by ocean currents. Analyse climate graphs to further explore the seasons.

View resource

Geography

Rock types

This activity introduces students to the types of rocks on Earth and how they are formed.

View resource

Pahoehoe lava on Santiago island, Galapagos

Geography

Plate tectonics

This activity introduces students the theory of plate tectonics, the concept that offers an explanation for the movement of continents across hundreds of millions of years.

View resource