Volcano models

A simple schematic model of Arthur’s Seat showing how the rocks formed from a volcano similar to the modern-day Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, in the Caribbean. This model is intended to aid understanding of where such volcanoes form and how volcanic rocks can be important natural resources for construction.

Download and assembly instructions

1. Download cut-out 3D model of the Arthur’s Seat Volcano model 2.28 MB pdf
2. Cut out the paper volcano model by cutting along all its outside edges.
3. Fold along the solid lines, so the printed sides face outward.
4. Try the pieces for fit before applying glue or tape.
5. Glue the tabs as indicated.

Folding and assembling the model. BGS © UKRI. 

Bardon Hill Quarry is in north-west Leicestershire in the East Midlands, where the rocks have been extracted for more than 400 years. Bardon Hill rocks formed from a volcano in Precambrian times, about 570 million years ago. The volcanic rocks extracted from the quarry are called andesite. When crushed, the rocks are used to build roads and for the foundations of buildings.

Download and assembly instructions 

• Download cut-out 3D model of Bardon Hill Quarry Volcano model 11.75 MB pdf.
• Print the three pages of the pdf to an A4 printer — heavy weight paper or card works best.
• Cut around the two parts of the model — you may need to get an adult to help you:
  • base
  • volcano and quarry
• Base: cut out the hole in the middle of the base. Fold along the thick black lines and glue tabs to make up the model like a box lid. Allow to dry.
• Volcano and quarry: fold as per the images and glue the tabs.
• Glue the volcano and quarry to the base as per the image.

What you will need (volcano and quarry template). BGS © UKRI.

Making up the base. BGS © UKRI.

The completed volcano model of Bardon Hill Quarry, Leicestershire, England. The model is not to scale. The volcano that deposited the Bardon Hill rocks would have been much larger than the diameter of the quarry. BGS © UKRI.

A simple schematic model of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano summit, crater and ash plume. It is intended as a simple guide to understanding how volcanoes such as Eyjafjallajökull are influenced by tectonic plate activity along the Mid Atlantic Ridge. It also shows the route of the floodwater from melted glacier ice to the sea.

Download and assembly instructions 

1. Download cut-out 3D model of Eyjafjallajökull 4.98 MB pdf.
2. Print the two pages of the pdf to an A4 printer — heavy weight paper or card works best.
3. Cut around the three parts of the model — you may need to get someone to help you:
   • ash plume
   • base
   • summit and crater
4. Ash plume: fold and glue the two halves together.
5. Base: cut out the hole in the middle of the base.
6. Base: fold along the thick black lines and glue tabs to make up the model like a box lid. Allow to dry.
7. Summit and crater: fold as shown in the images. Half the ‘cone’ points downwards.
8. Glue the summit and crater to the base as shown in the image below. This is the tricky bit!
9. Glue the ash plume to the summit and crater.

What you will need (summit, crater and ash plume templates). BGS © UKRI.Making up the base and ash plume. BGS © UKRI. 

The completed volcano model of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Iceland. The model is not to scale. The height of the volcano is highly exaggerated. BGS © UKRI.

The Soufrière Hills Volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat began erupting in 1995 and, in June 1997, pyroclastic flows claimed the lives of 19 people and led to two-thirds of the population fleeing the island.

Download and assembly instructions 

1. Download cut-out 3D model of Soufrière Hills, Montserrat Volcano model 2 MB pdf.
2. Print the two pages of the pdf to an A4 printer — heavy weight paper or card works best.
3. Cut around the two parts of the model — you may need to get an adult to help you:
   • base
   • summit and crater
4. Base: cut out the hole in the middle of the base. Fold along the thick black lines and glue tabs to make up the model like a box lid. Allow to dry.
5. Summit and crater: fold as per the images and glue the tabs. Half the ‘cone’ points downwards.
6. Glue the summit and crater to the base as per the image.

What you will need (summit and crater template). BGS © UKRI.  

Summit and crater assembled. BGS © UKRI.