MQ_Dante's Peak
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Dec 6, 2023
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EES 0836
Dante’s Peak Movie Questions
Disasters: Geology vs. Hollywood
Introduction
A volcanologist arrives at a countryside town recently named the second most desirable place to live in
America, and discovers that the long dormant volcano, Dante's Peak, may wake up at any moment.
-
imdb.com
Learning Objectives
●
Critically assess the portrayal of science, forecasting, and eruptive behavior of Dante’s Peak in
the movie Dante’s Peak (1997).
(4, b)
Part 1:
Watch the movie
As you are watching the video clips, look for the answers to the following questions.
1.
In the opening scene of Dante’s Peak, Harry and his girlfriend are trying to escape during a
volcanic eruption. Visibility is poor because of falling volcanic ash. Do volcanoes really produce
ash? How can rocks burn/melt?
Volcanic ash is made when explosive volcanic eruptions and dissolved gasses in magma expand
and escape violently into the atmosphere. The force of the gasses shatters the magma and propels
it into the atmosphere where it solidifies into rock. Rocks can melt when they reach 2,400 degrees
Fahrenheit so it’s not very common for rocks to melt because this temperature is barely ever
reached. The rocks once melted turn into a hot lava substance called magma.
2.
What volcanic hazard kills Harry’s girlfriend?
His girlfriend died in a volcanic explosion. Lava landed on the roof of Harry's truck which costed
Harry's girlfriend her life.
3.
When Harry, the mayor, and her kids visit Grandma’s cabin, there is foreshadowing of disaster.
List at least four signs (precursors) that Dante’s Peak is about to awaken.
Starting in 1980, a series of mild earthquakes started to occur; by 1982, geophysicists were also
observing other telltale indicators of volcanic activity, such as steam vent development and
bulges. As well as brand-new hot spots that appear to be magma bursting up through the earth's
crust.
4.
Describe anything you saw in these clips that you think might be scientifically questionable.
EES 0836
Precursing earthquakes tend to happen on the smaller end, eventually leading up to the blast, but
the seismicity earthquakes before the volcano were simply too huge to be realistically genuine.
The seismic graph should steadily trend upward until eruption.
5.
Explain Harry’s “proof” that Dante’s Peak is a “ticking time bomb?”
Harry goes over the volcano's past activity, describing previous eruptions and their effects on the
area. He makes the case that another eruption is most likely on the horizon by illustrating a
pattern of repeated eruptions.
6.
What caused the helicopter crash?
Extreme volcanic activity and dangerous weather conditions combined to create the disaster.
They run into severe ashfall and pyroclastic flows, which are fast-moving currents of hot gas and
volcanic material produced by the erupting volcano, as they try to flee. The helicopter's visibility
and engines are hampered by volcanic ash and debris, making it challenging to retain control.
7.
The film shows our hero et al. riding a boat that is rapidly dissolving in a lake made acidic by the
volcano. What part do you think is real, and where has Hollywood exaggerated to create drama?
Yeah, I don’t think this is real as, to be honest with you. I do not even think any of this is real as its sort of
chaotic I don’t know the probability if survival here, but it’s got to be low.
8.
The eruption melts the snow off the top of the mountain (volcano), which affects the surrounding
rivers.
It looks like muddy water flowed down Dante’s Peak, what is the scientific term for these
“flows?”
Lahars is probably the word that is being searched for.
9.
Harry dramatically drives through a lava flow. Do you think this is possible? Provide a couple
sentences to explain your reasoning.
No, I don’t think it’s possible at all. I don’t even think there is any motor vehicle that can touch
lava and not get affected. Would most likely catch on fire if I am correct.
10.
In the end, did the order of volcanic hazards make sense? Does something not add up? What, if
anything, is out of place?
EES 0836
The pace at which various events occur, such as the boat dissolving in acidic water and Harry
driving across a lava flow, is exaggerated for dramatic impact even though the movie properly
portrays several volcanic hazards. Overall, the sequence of volcanic disasters makes sense in light
of the storyline of the film, but some details are exaggerated for dramatic effect, and lahars could
have been shown in a more important way for a truer picture of volcanic hazards.
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