Volcanoes and the Ring of Fire

Volcanoes and the Ring of Fire: Grade 4 Science Worksheet

Why do volcanoes crowd around one ocean? Students study a Pacific-centered world map where each red triangle is a volcano from the NOAA volcano database. Japan and Chile are packed with volcanoes, while Brazil and Australia have few or none. The pattern that appears is the Ring of Fire.

Key Science Vocabulary

• volcano: an opening in Earth’s surface where hot, melted rock comes out
• lava: melted rock that flows out of a volcano
• Ring of Fire: the ring of volcanoes around the edges of the Pacific Ocean
• erupt: when a volcano sends out lava, ash, or gas
• coast: land along the edge of an ocean

What Students Do

• Read a short teach box on volcanoes and the map symbol
• Part A: write M (many) or F (few) in boxes next to four places on the map
• Part B: three questions about the ring shape, the Pacific, and the west coast of North America
• Answer key with the letters filled in on the map

Standards

NGSS 4-ESS2-2: Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features. Also supports CCSS RI.4.7 (interpret information shown visually, such as maps and tables).

Where It Fits in Grades 3 to 8

Grade 4 is often the first time students see real volcano data. Here they describe where volcanoes are. Later, in grades 6 to 8, they learn that the Ring of Fire follows the edges of tectonic plates.

Teaching Tip

Project the map and ask, “Where do the triangles pile up?” before handing out the page. Point out Alaska so students see volcanoes are not only in hot places. Works best printed in color; takes 8 to 10 minutes.