Venus shows more volcanic activity than previously thought

admin 2024年7月8日

Intermediate

science & technology, science & technology - intermediate

Pre-reading questions:

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How important do you think it is for scientists to continuously update their knowledge and understanding of space exploration findings?
What planet or planets are you familiar with? What interesting information or facts could
you share about them?

Vocabulary:

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

radar /REY-dahr/

[noun] – a system that uses radio waves to find the position of objects that cannot be seen
The airport’s radar detected an incoming aircraft long before it was visible to the naked eye.

scale /skeyl/

[noun] – the size, extent, or level of something, especially in comparison to something else
The engineers were amazed by the scale of the new bridge, which was the largest in the region.

slope /slohp/

[noun] – the sides of a hill or mountain, or any inclined surface, especially one that is not steep
The hikers carefully navigated the gentle slopes of the hill, enjoying the scenic views
as they climbed.

data /DEY-tuh/

[noun] – facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis
The scientist meticulously analyzed the experimental data to draw accurate conclusions about
the impact of climate change on local ecosystems.

similarity /sim-uh-LAR-i-tee/

[noun] – qualities or features that are alike or comparable between two or more things
Despite their cultural differences, the two countries share remarkable similarities in their
educational systems and social structures.

Article reading:

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Recent research has uncovered more volcanic activity on Venus than was previously known. Scientists studied radar images from NASA’s Magellan spacecraft (1990-1992) and found evidence of eruptions at two new sites on Venus. This challenges what was thought about the planet’s volcanoes, suggesting they might be more active than previously thought. The study, led by Davide Sulcanese from Italy’s d’Annunzio University and published in Nature Astronomy, reveals large lava flows in Venus’ northern hemisphere, similar in scale to Earth’s volcanic activity. The newly discovered sites are Sif Mons, a huge volcano about 200 miles (300 km) wide in Eistla Regio, and a large volcanic plain in Niobe Planitia. These locations have shield volcanoes with gentle slopes formed by flowing lava. The analysis estimates the lava covered about 12 square miles (30 square km) near Sif Mons and 17 square miles (45 square km) in Niobe Planitia. A detailed radar examination showed straight and curving patterns in the lava flows, indicating they followed the terrain’s slopes.

This study underscores how advanced technology helps analyze Magellan’s data, which mapped Venus extensively. Scientists hope upcoming NASA and European Space Agency missions will provide more insights into Venus and Earth’s different geological histories, despite their similarities. Understanding Venus’ volcanoes also improves knowledge of planetary heat changes, surface movements, and atmospheric effects, all critical for comprehending its extreme environment.

Comprehension questions

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

What did recent research discover about Venus?
Who led the study mentioned in the article?
Where are the newly discovered volcanic sites located on Venus?
What did radar images from NASA’s Magellan spacecraft reveal about the lava flows on Venus?
What do scientists hope upcoming missions by NASA and the European Space Agency will provide?

Discussion questions