Eruption! Mexico's "Volcano of Fire" roars back to life. When will the next big explosion occur?

Transcription

1 Non-fiction: Eruption! Eruption! Mexico's "Volcano of Fire" roars back to life. When will the next big explosion occur? The Colima (koh-lee-mah) Volcano in Mexico has roared to life again. The 12,500-foot volcano is also called the "Volcano of Fire." Over the past few years, its eruptions have been larger and more frequent. It has been shooting hot gas and ash high into the sky. Colima Volcano Observatory The Colima Volcano over the years. What scientists are most worried about is the next big eruption. The volcano has had huge eruptions about every hundred years. The last one took place in The Volcano of Fire is Mexico's most active 1 volcano. It has erupted many times Scientists have noticed a pattern in recent Leigh Haeger activity that is very much like the pattern before the 1913 eruption. "Most scientists are expecting a large, explosive eruption in the next 10 years or so," volcano expert Jim Luhr told Weekly Reader. 1 active: erupting or likely to erupt Article: Copyright 2005 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission.

2 Non-fiction: Eruption! Living Near the Volcano The volcano is 20 miles north of the city of Colima. To make sure no one is in danger, officials created a safety zone around the volcano. People aren't allowed in that area. Scientists use special equipment to track changes within the volcano. "We're looking for clues of another large, explosive eruption," says Luhr. "That way, we can be prepared." Article: Copyright 2005 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission.

3 Non-fiction: Eruption! How a Volcano Works A volcano is a mountain with an opening on top called a vent. Volcanoes can be active, dormant (not active now but may erupt someday), or extinct. When a volcano is active, magma collects in chambers beneath Earth's surface. Magma is hot, melted rock. After pressure from gases in the magma builds up, the volcano erupts. Magma explodes from vents on top and along its sides. Magma that has less gas oozes from the volcano as lava. Article: Copyright 2005 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission.

4 Questions: Eruption! Name: Date: 1. According to the article, scientists are studying the Colima Volcano for all of the following reasons EXCEPT A it is Mexico s most active volcano B it has been shooting hot gas and ash into the sky C it has a pattern of activity like the pattern in 1913 D volcanoes can be active, dormant or extinct 2. The problem for scientists was finding when Colima would have its next big eruption and how they could keep people safe. What is the solution to this problem, as described in the passage? A Scientists have estimated when the volcano will erupt and they have notified the officials of Colima. B Officials created a safety zone around the volcano. C Scientists use special equipment to determine when the volcano will erupt. D A safety zone that includes Colima has been created and no one is allowed in that area. 3. Which of the following conclusions about the Colima Volcano is supported by the passage? A The Colima Volcano has not been dormant although its next big explosion has yet to come. B The Colima Volcano will erupt within a decade. C The Colima Volcano has remained dormant over the past century. D The Colima Volcano will put the lives of millions of people at risk when it has a huge explosion. 4. Read this sentence from the passage: Over the past few years, its eruptions have been larger and more frequent. Based on the text, the word frequent means A special B often C loud D explosive 1

5 Questions: Eruption! 5. This passage is mainly about A the safety measures taken in preparation for the Colima Volcano s next eruption B the dangers facing the people of Colima who live near the Volcano of Fire C the next big eruption of the Colima Volcano that scientists are expecting D the way a volcanic eruption starts after a period of being dormant 6. How high is the Colima Volcano? 7. Based on the passage, why might it be important to track the activities of volcanoes over long periods of time? Use information from the text to support your answer. 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence. the Colima Volcano has erupted many times over the years, over the last few years its eruptions have been larger and more frequent. A In contrast B While C Because D Initially 2

6 Questions: Eruption! 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. The Colima Volcano has had huge explosions about every hundred years in Mexico. What? the Colima Volcano (has) What? When? Where? 10. Vocabulary Word: roar: to make a very loud noise, like the cry of a lion or other large, wild animal. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: 3

7 Teacher Guide & Answers: Eruption! Teacher Guide & Answers Passage Reading Level: Lexile 820 Featured Text Structure: Problem/Solution the writer poses a problem and suggests possible solutions Passage Summary: The Colima Volcano is Mexico s most active volcano. Its last large eruption was in Scientists are worried about its next huge eruption because they have seen a pattern in the volcano s activity similar to the pattern that occurred before the 1913 eruption. 1. According to the article, scientists are studying the Colima Volcano for all of the following reasons EXCEPT A it is Mexico s most active volcano B it has been shooting hot gas and ash into the sky C it has a pattern of activity like the pattern in 1913 D volcanoes can be active, dormant or extinct 2. The problem for scientists was finding when Colima would have its next big eruption and how they could keep people safe. What is the solution to this problem, as described in the passage? A Scientists have estimated when the volcano will erupt and they have notified the officials of Colima. B Officials created a safety zone around the volcano. C Scientists use special equipment to determine when the volcano will erupt. D A safety zone that includes Colima has been created and no one is allowed in that area. 3. Which of the following conclusions about the Colima Volcano is supported by the passage? A The Colima Volcano has not been dormant although its next big explosion has yet to come. B The Colima Volcano will erupt within a decade. C The Colima Volcano has remained dormant over the past century. D The Colima Volcano will put the lives of millions of people at risk when it has a huge explosion. 4. Read this sentence from the passage: Over the past few years, its eruptions have been larger and more frequent. Based on the text, the word frequent means A special B often C loud D explosive 5. This passage is mainly about A the safety measures taken in preparation for the Colima Volcano s next eruption B the dangers facing the people of Colima who live near the Volcano of Fire C the next big eruption of the Colima Volcano that scientists are expecting D the way a volcanic eruption starts after a period of being dormant 1

8 Teacher Guide & Answers: Eruption! 6. How high is the Colima Volcano? Suggested answer: The Colima Volcano is 12,500 feet high. [paragraph 2] 7. Based on the passage, why might it be important to track the activities of volcanoes over long periods of time? Use information from the text to support your answer. Suggested answer: It is important to track the activities of volcanoes over long periods of time as a means for observing any patterns that may help to predict when large eruptions will occur. For example, the Colima Volcano in Mexico is exhibiting a recent pattern of activity which has been tracked much like the pattern before the 1913 eruption. This helps scientists predict when the next volcano will most likely arrive, allowing officials to make necessary safety preparations. [paragraphs 3-5] 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence. the Colima Volcano has erupted many times over the years, over the last few years its eruptions have been larger and more frequent. A In contrast B While C Because D Initially 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. The Colima Volcano has had huge explosions about every hundred years in Mexico. What? the Colima Volcano (has) What? has had huge explosions When? about every hundred years Where? in Mexico 10. Vocabulary Word: roar: to make a very loud noise, like the cry of a lion or other large, wild animal. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: answers may vary. 2