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How to Make an Eruption Volcano Model out of Clay

The erupting volcano, a classic science experiment mainly seen in elementary science classes, can still leave adults in a moment of suspense prior to eruption. The chemical reaction that produces the lava is almost always vinegar -- which is an ascetic acid -- red food coloring and baking soda, which is sodium bicarbonate, and you can easily fashion the volcano from clay and a milk jug or soda bottle. Children who make their own volcano models tend to have so much fun with their projects that the very idea of scientific discovery is sometimes lost in their newly found love of geology.

Things You'll Need

  • Gallon milk jug or 2-liter soda bottle
  • Clay
  • Baking pan
  • Vinegar and baking soda, equal parts
  • Red food coloring
  • Poster paint
  • Toothpicks
  • Twigs, moss or grass collected from outside (optional)
  • Toy block trees, bushes and moss (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Add the baking soda to the jug. Affix the jug to the center of the pan using a small amount of clay. If you are using a 2 liter bottle, stick smaller pieces of clay to each of the four protrusions making up the base.

    • 2

      Create the volcano’s structure by surrounding the jug containing the baking soda with clay. Cover the entire jug so no clay finds its way into the jug. Spread more clay around the base of the jug to make a landscape surrounding the volcano.

    • 3

      Make landscape features in the clay using toothpicks, if desired. Use twigs, moss or grass from outside to decorate the landscape around your volcano. Toy block bricks, such as trees, palm trees, mosses and bushes, also make good landscape features. You can also paint your volcano’s landscape any color you’d like using poster paint. Allow it dry before triggering the eruption.

    • 4

      Add 3 to 5 drops of red food coloring to the jug inside the volcano. Then carefully pour the vinegar into the jug. Stand back and watch your volcano erupt.

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