Activity Summary: Students will be able to read a bathymetric map to describe the topography of an underwater volcano and make an argument for taking ocean sediment cores near hydrothermal vents and active volcanoes.

This lesson has students analyze bathymetric maps (comparing them to topographic maps) to understand how scientists study underwater volcanoes at subduction zones. With a focus on Brothers volcano, the site of IODP Expedition 376, students will construct a 3D model to consider the features of the volcano and how it can be studied. Before conducting this lesson, students should be familiar with subduction zones and volcanic eruptions.

This lesson has been revised and updated based on 3D Contour Maps.