A Volcano in LA? Using Hollywood's Mistakes to Encourage Critical Thought in Students

Hollywood's liberties with geological phenomena are infamous within the scientific community, but provide a natural source of material to encourage critical thinking in students. An introductory “Volcanoes and Civilization” class at Vassar College during the Spring 2008 semester was assigned a five-page paper analyzing a film, cartoon, or TV episode of their choice. The paper was assigned in lieu of a final exam. The requirements of the movie / TV episode / cartoon chosen were that is was: a) fictional and b) a volcano must be active at some point during the film / episode (short periods of activity were accepted). Film choices varied from “The Last Days of Pompeii” (1935) and “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (1959) to “The Chronicles of Riddick” (2004) and “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005) as well as the typical “Dante's Peak” (1997) and “Volcano” (1997). TV episodes varied from “Gilligan's Island – Operation: Steam Heat” (1966) to “Sabrina the Teenaged Witch – The Good, the Bad, and the Luau” (1999). Cartoons ranged from “Superman – Volcano” (1942) to “South Park – Volcano” (1997). Each student was asked to analyze the volcanism presented by Hollywood, discuss what was geologically valid and invalid, and explain the type of volcanism that should have been present in that setting. The nature of the paper required the students to draw on the lectures presented by the professor as well as textbooks and the internet to dissect Hollywood's attempt. Student response to the assignment was very positive and the papers revealed a strong understanding of the concepts present during the course of the semester. Analysis of popular representations of geological phenomena provides a method to engage student interest and to promote critical thinking.