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Quiz about So You Want to be a Volcanologist
Quiz about So You Want to be a Volcanologist

So You Want to be a Volcanologist Quiz


Are you one of those people who, when told "get away from that," walk up to whatever that is and say "Let me see it?" Do you like things that are really hot? If so you may have what it takes to be a volcanologist. Take this quiz to find out.

A multiple-choice quiz by deputygary. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
deputygary
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
272,852
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
1772
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 71 (7/10), Guest 174 (8/10), pixiecat (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Volcanology is the science of studying volcanoes. What type of science is volcanology? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Which of the following locations would a volcanologist be least likely to work? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. If you were asked to collect tephra from a volcano, what would you be picking up? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What is a correlation spectrometer used for? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. If, despite the odds, you make it through your volcanology courses, at which of the following places would you be least likely to apply to work? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What is the difference between lava and magma? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. A scientist studying an active volcano has to wear certain protective gear. Which of the following should be worn on their hands? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What does WOVO stand for? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Katia and Maurice Krafft were French scientists who were known worldwide for their work filming volcanic eruptions. As a volcanologist you may look up to the Kraffts. They died in 1991. How did they die? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Working around volcanoes can be dangerous. Which of the following is NOT a hazard volcanologists typically face? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 18 2024 : Guest 71: 7/10
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Mar 10 2024 : pixiecat: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Volcanology is the science of studying volcanoes. What type of science is volcanology?

Answer: Geology

Volcanology falls under geology. Volcanologists study geophysics, geochemistry, geomorphology, sedimentary geology, structural geology, remote sensing, and petrology. They also may take classes in algebra, calculus, trigonometry, biology and Earth Science.

Seismologists study earthquakes, physical geographers study the natural environment of the earth and paleontologists study prehistoric life forms and fossils etc.
2. Which of the following locations would a volcanologist be least likely to work?

Answer: Iowa

Sicily has Mt. Etna, Japan has Mt. Fuji (which, though dormant for almost 300 years is still a volcano), and Antarctica has Mt. Erebus. There is actually an observatory on Mt. Erebus where students come for several weeks each year to study the volcano. Meanwhile saner students go to Ft. Lauderdale on their spring break.

Iowa has no known volcanoes, primarily because Iowa is pretty flat. Its highest part is Hawkeye Point at 1670 feet above sea level or about 200 feet above the surrounding elevation.
3. If you were asked to collect tephra from a volcano, what would you be picking up?

Answer: Pumice

Tephra refers to anything that is blown out of a volcano into the air. It includes ash, pumice, cinders, volcanic bombs and blocks. It is an old volcanologist gag to ask the new guy to go collect cow dung when they actually mean cow dung bombs--magma that hits the ground before it solidifies so it splats like cow dung. The old-timers always get a chuckle out of that one.
4. What is a correlation spectrometer used for?

Answer: Measuring the amount of sulfur dioxide emitted

Other tools used by volcanologists include seismometers to measure underground disturbances, tilt instruments to measure changes in the ground and very low frequency sensors to detect and measure underground lava flow. They also use cameras to record volcanic activity and VFC's (very fast cars) to get away when the volcano erupts.
5. If, despite the odds, you make it through your volcanology courses, at which of the following places would you be least likely to apply to work?

Answer: Louisiana Lava Lamp Outlet

In addition to the many Universities and Colleges that offer geology programs, the University of Hawaii, University of Alaska, University of Washington and Dartmouth all have volcanology courses and their students can study active volcanoes. Washington and California, along with Oregon, have state Geological Surveys.
6. What is the difference between lava and magma?

Answer: Magma is found in the earth's crust, lava is above ground

Magma and lava are the same substance. When it is underground it is called magma. Magma is hotter than lava, is under more pressure (because it is confined underground), and contains gases and water. When it flows out through a vent in the volcano it is known as lava. Lava cools as it is exposed to outside air. It is no longer under pressure so the gases can escape and the water evaporates. Lava, being cooler, also moves more slowly than magma.

The stuff inside a lava lamp is actually wax. The wax is denser than room temperature water but less dense than heated water. A metal coil over a light bulb in the base of the lamp heats the water in the bottom of the glass. Wax on the bottom rises as the water heats because that water becomes denser than the wax. When it reaches the cooler, less dense water at the top the wax descends again.
7. A scientist studying an active volcano has to wear certain protective gear. Which of the following should be worn on their hands?

Answer: Heat resistant gloves

Heat resistant gloves should be worn because everything around an erupting volcano is hot. Even the instruments a volcanologist uses will become hot to the touch. When in close proximity to an active volcano a gas mask is also necessary to protect against some of the noxious fumes that could be present.

Heat reflective jackets and protective hoods are worn when needed. At the very least, the volcanologist who wants to be safe wears a long-sleeved shirt, long pants of sturdy material, gloves and hiking boots.
8. What does WOVO stand for?

Answer: World Organization of Volcano Observatories

According to their website (www.wovo.org), the mission of the World Organization of Volcano Observatories is:
"1. To stimulate communication and cooperation between observatories and institutions directly involved in volcano monitoring.
2. To develop and maintain volcano monitoring reference materials, including a directory of member observatories, their monitoring networks and staff.
3. Upon request, to help a member observatory to find temporary scientific reinforcement.
4. Refer governments, international organizations, and others seeking assistance in volcano monitoring to the appropriate member observatories."

None of the other choices exist.

Wissenschaft ost Vulcan Oberhausen is German for "science, east, volcano, Oberhausen (the German city.)"
9. Katia and Maurice Krafft were French scientists who were known worldwide for their work filming volcanic eruptions. As a volcanologist you may look up to the Kraffts. They died in 1991. How did they die?

Answer: They died when Mount Unzen erupted in Japan

The Kraffts were at the site of the eruption of Mount Unzen in Japan when a pyroclastic flow of lava and ash swept over the ridge they were standing on. In addition to the Kraffts, another volcanologist as well as 40 journalists who were filming the eruption were killed. Pyroclastic flows are nasty.

They can reportedly travel close to 200 meters per second and reach 1000 degrees Centigrade.
10. Working around volcanoes can be dangerous. Which of the following is NOT a hazard volcanologists typically face?

Answer: Drowning

People who study volcanoes usually carry a gas mask because some of the gases that are emitted during an eruption are poisonous. A volcano is a mountain and any time a mountain must be climbed there is a danger of slipping, falling and becoming injured.

When Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980, David A. Johnson, a volcanologist manning an observation post 6 miles from the volcano, was swept away by the blast and was never found. Drowning is not a typical hazard to volcanologists except at White Island, New Zealand.

The top of that volcano contains a bowl which has filled over the years with rain water to create a small lake. The water, however, contains high concentrations of sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid from the volcano. Anyone who tried to swim there would have their skin, bathing suit and everything else dissolved by the acid.
Source: Author deputygary

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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