Freshman Seminar: Volcanoes and Civilization

Volcanoes in Mythology and Folklore

Read the hand out provided in class on Volcanoes and Myths.

Below you will find a short outline of some of the world’s better known volcano myths.

In your investigation consider these points:

• How do myths about volcanoes enter human culture and what is unique about these myths that distinguish them from other mythology?
• What themes are common in all volcano mythology?
• What are the differences?

1) Greek Mythology

a. Vulcan

b. Hephaestus

c. Atlantis

2) Hawaiian Mythology (Pele)

3) Native North Americans

a. Llao and Skell (crater Lake)

b. Louwala-Clough/Loowit – Klickitat/Pahto – Wy’east (St. Helens, Adams, Hood)

c. Takhoma/Tahoma/Ta-co-bet (Mount Rainier)

4) Mexican & Central American

a. Popocatepetal

b. Mombacho

5) Japan

Choose one category and write a short report on the myths of that country. Conclude your report by briefly comparing the myths of your choice with myths in other cultures.

General Link about Myths:

http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze33gpz/myth.html

or

http://www.myths.com/pub/myths/myth.html

General Links about several Volcano Myths

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/PopCulture/mythology.html

http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/kids/legends.html

http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/group11_new.html

Pele - Hawaii

http://www.eyeofhawaii.com/Legends/legends.htm

Mombacho

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/cmc/newsletter/feb98-2.html

Popocatepetal

http://www.xpmexico.com/iztaccihuatl/izta02i.html