Iceland declares state of emergency as imminent volcanic eruption threatens town of Grindavík

admin 2024年1月20日

Intermediate

world news, world news - intermediate

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

What is a volcanic eruption, and how does it impact the surrounding areas?
Can you recall any recent or historical volcanic eruptions and their consequences?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

threat /thret/

[noun] – a statement or indication that someone or something is likely to cause harm or danger
The government issued a threat warning, urging citizens to stay vigilant during the potential volcanic eruption.

earthquake /URTH-kweyk /

[noun] – the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s lithosphere that creates seismic waves
The town experienced a sudden earthquake, causing concern among the residents.

magma /MAG-muh/

[noun] – molten or semi-fluid rock beneath the Earth’s surface that erupts during a volcanic eruption
The geologists studied the magma flow to predict the potential eruption.

calmly /KAHM-lee/

[adverb] – in a quiet and composed manner, without showing or feeling panic
Despite the emergency, the residents evacuated calmly, following the authorities’ instructions.

volcano /vol-KEY-noh/

[noun] – a mountain or hill that has a vent through which lava, ash, and gases erupt
The town was located near an active volcano, posing potential risks to its residents.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Recently, Iceland faced an emergency situation as there was a potential threat of a volcanic eruption in the southwest, specifically endangering the town of Grindavík. The Icelandic Meteorological Office observed a significant number of earthquakes in the area, indicating the formation of an underground magma tunnel that could reach Grindavík. Authorities were worried about the possibility of larger earthquakes triggering an eruption. The Civil Protection Agency urged residents to evacuate calmly, emphasizing the importance of preparedness. The US Embassy in Iceland issued a volcano alert, warning of potential hazards like lava, toxic gases, and smoke. The renowned Blue Lagoon thermal pool was closed due to seismic activity. Iceland, located on a tectonic plate boundary, has frequently experienced volcanic activity, with numerous active volcanoes and eruptions occurring regularly since 2021.

Grindavik residents faced a swift evacuation due to heightened seismic activity and a detected magma buildup, hinting at a potential eruption. The evacuation, limited to daylight hours, prioritized essential item retrieval. A magma corridor beneath the town prompted concerns, leading to an orange aviation alert for volcanic ash risks. The Blue Lagoon resort closure followed a magnitude-4.8 earthquake. Geology professor Pall Einarrson noted a 10-kilometer magma corridor extending towards the town and sea.

Comprehension questions

I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.

What prompted the evacuation of Grindavík, and how was it conducted?
Why was there an orange aviation alert, and what risk did it signal?
Explain the role of the Blue Lagoon closure in the context of the emergency.
How did the US Embassy in Iceland contribute to the emergency response?
According to geology professor Pall Einarrson, what specific geological feature extended towards Grindavík?

Discussion questions