Introduction

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Noteworthy Volcanoes is a wholly remarkable book. Perhaps the most remarkable, certainly the most successful book ever to come out of the great publishing corporations of Ursa Minor - of which no Earthman had ever heard of. More popular than the Celestial Home Care Omnibus, better selling than Fifty-Three More Things to do in Zero Gravity, and more controversial than Oolon Colluphid's trilogy of philosophical blockbusters Where God Went Wrong, Some More of God's Greatest Mistakes and Who is this God Person Anyway? It's already supplanted the Encyclopedia Galactica as the standard repository of all knowledge and wisdom, for two important reasons. First, it's slightly cheaper; and secondly it has the words DON'T PANIC printed in large friendly letters on its cover. The Hitchhiker's Guide to Noteworthy Volcanoes is an highly respected guide used everywhere by young Volcanologists and Earth Science Teachers on the go.  From the Galactic Whirlpool, to the Rings of Saturn, the HGNV is there when you need it.   "When you find yourself in unfamiliar territory, and you're pretty sure you're looking at a volcano...Don't Panic,  let the HGNV come to the rescue."

The Task

You are responsible for the research, design and layout your contribution to the 2022 Edition of the Hitchhiker's Guide to Noteworthy Volcanoes. Your pages will present a brief profile of a volcano of your choice, located anywhere on Earth. Your entries will provide the kind of vital information that our clients crave, and often desperately need.  

The Process

Using the resources below, choose a volcano as described and record your choice on the signup sheet for your class period.    Conduct research about this volcano and collect the following information: Location, Type of Volcano, Photo of this Volcano, Maps showing where this volcano is located on a World Map, as well as a more LOCAL map showing the volcanoes location. . Date of Last Eruption, Elevation of the Volcano,  Name of Closest Human Settlement to this Volcano, Brief Description of this Population Center (Population, Language spoken, Currency used, Climate description, Local attractions, maybe the name of a nice local restaurant, or a comfortable place to stay would be nice as well.). Assemble your information, using the template provided. Write a brief "Hitchhiker's Guide" reporter who was on the scene during the last eruption. What's that?  You weren't ACTUALLY on the scene at the time, bah...no problem,  be creative.  Remember our motto:
Describe the eruption, LIVE "as it happened". Our clients desperately need to know how this volcano's eruption will affect the local area, now, and in the distant future. 


Resources

Volcano World-Use this site to select which region of the world you will be studying.  Go to the "Volcano" Tab and choose a volcano by clicking on the Alpha Volcano tab to choose by name, or the Volcanoes by Country to choose by location.    Continue working your way through the divisions and select the specific volcano that you are going to profile.
Blank and Outline Maps- Use this site to download maps which will allow you to illustrate where in the world your chosen volcano is located AND specifically where in each region/country/area your volcano is located.

Quick Maps This site contains on-line, small GIF maps of countries of the world, continents and world maps.

CIA World Fact Book- This site is maintained by the Central Intelligence Agency.  It contains a large variety of information, maps and guides about various parts of the world.

USGS Volcanoes Site-This site is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey.  It contains lots of information about types of volcanoes, location of volcanoes, effects of volcanic eruptions, and much more!  Use it for interesting background material for your pages in the Hitchhiker's Guide.

MTU Volcanoes Page - This site is maintained by the Michigan Technological University.  It offers interesting information about volcanoes and a variety of links to other information.

Encyclopedia.com- This is an on-line encyclopedia which you may reference to help you find the information you're seeking.

Volcanoes!  A PBS site about volcanoes on Earth.  Good information about living with volcanoes, judging hazards, coping with risks and background information about volcanoes in general.

How Volcanoes Work This website is an educational resource that describes the science behind volcanoes and volcanic processes.  This site is sponsored by NASA.

A 1784 paper written by Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin may have been the first person to consider the effect of volcanic eruptions on the weather.  Read his original 1784 paper here.

Frommer's Travel Guide Another handy travel guide site.  Use it to learn more about your selected region, territory or country.


Evaluation

Your pages will be evaluated at the RODRIGUE ENTERPRISES home office, currently in an undisclosed location in the South Pacific.  The latest FAX indicated that your pages will be evaluated using the RUBRICS distributed in "Science Class".  

Conclusion

Thank you for participating in our yearly upgrade of this section of the Hitchhiker's Guide.  Your efforts will help people everywhere who find themselves in the presence of a volcano and desperately need accurate and up to date information.