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Expert Warns Mount Fuji Volcano Is "Ready" to Erupt

Mount Fuji rising above a dark lake at night in Fujinomiya, Japan
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
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Listen to the story

Mount Fuji is a famous mountain in Japan. It is an active volcano. This means it can still erupt.

A retired professor from Kyoto University says Fuji is already "in a standby state." This means it is ready to erupt at any time.

He also says Fuji could erupt at the same time as a big earthquake near the Nankai Trough. The Nankai Trough is a place in the sea near Japan. Big earthquakes can happen there.

Experts say Fuji could erupt only a few hours after the first signs. People need to watch for this information carefully.

If Fuji erupts, ash and smoke could go far. Tokyo and other cities near Fuji could feel the effects.

Japan wants to build special shelters. People could go there to stay safe during an eruption.

August 26 is Volcano Disaster Prevention Day in Japan. On this day, people learn how to stay safe from volcanoes.

Vocabulary6 words

active volcano
a mountain that can still send out fire, smoke, or rock
standby
ready to happen very soon
earthquake
when the ground shakes hard
Nankai Trough
a place under the sea near Japan where big earthquakes happen
signs
small things that show something will happen
shelters
safe buildings people go to in danger

Quiz

1. What does the professor say about Mount Fuji?
2. What could happen with the Nankai Trough?
3. True or False: Japan wants to build shelters for volcano safety.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Mount Fuji is a famous mountain in Japan. It is an _____ volcano. This means it can still erupt.

A retired professor from Kyoto University says Fuji is already "in a _____ state." This means it is ready to erupt at any time.

He also says Fuji could erupt at the same time as a big _____ near the Nankai Trough. The Nankai Trough is a place in the sea near Japan. Big earthquakes can happen there.

Experts say Fuji could erupt only a few hours after the first _____. People need to watch for this information carefully.

If Fuji erupts, ash and smoke could go far. _____ and other cities near Fuji could feel the effects.

Japan wants to build special _____. People could go there to stay safe during an eruption.

August 26 is Volcano Disaster Prevention Day in _____. On this day, people learn how to stay safe from volcanoes.

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