Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Year 4 had an unforgettable day at the Natural History Museum in London as part of our learning about Pompeii. Our current writing unit has focused on volcanoes and earthquakes, so this trip helped bring our learning to life in the most exciting way!

When we arrived at the museum, we first explored the mammals section. We were amazed by the enormous, life-size blue whale suspended from the ceiling. It was hard to believe something so huge can swim in our oceans! We enjoyed looking at the different animal exhibits before heading to our workshop.

Next, we took part in a brilliant workshop called “Emergency! Earthquakes and Volcanoes”. We learned about how earthquakes are measured and what causes them beneath the Earth’s surface. Some of us even volunteered to create our own “earthquakes” using special equipment so we could measure the vibrations just like real scientists! We helped save a village near an active volcano and are now certified volcano experts according to the Natural History Museum.

After that, we entered the Red Zone. This was an incredible experience where we travelled deep into the Earth through the core! We discovered more about the structure of our planet and how volcanoes erupt and why tectonic plates move. The most dramatic moment was experiencing the earthquake simulation based on the devastating 1995 Kobe earthquake in Japan. The ground shook beneath our feet and the room trembled – it felt very real and helped us understand the true power of natural disasters.

This trip has helped us deepen our understanding of the events that destroyed Pompeii and will support us in writing our own powerful explanations and reports back in class.

We ended the day tired,  but happy as we made our way home after a fantastic and educational experience. What a brilliant day of learning!