Practice English with NewsPractice with News
Nature143 words1 min read

Mount Etna Erupts Again, Ash Threatens Catania Airport

fire in the middle of the field
Photo by Piermanuele Sberni on Unsplash
0:00 / 0:00

Listen to the story

Mount Etna is a big volcano in Italy. It is on the island of Sicily. Etna started a new eruption. The eruption is from a part of the volcano called Voragine. Voragine is a crater. A crater is the big hole at the top of a volcano.

The volcano is making loud explosions. It is also sending ash into the sky. Ash is small grey dust from the volcano. The ash is falling on the city of Catania. Catania is near the volcano.

Scientists say the seismic tremor is growing. This means the ground is shaking more. This can show that the eruption is getting stronger.

The ash is a problem for Catania airport. Ash can be dangerous for planes. The airport may need to close if there is too much ash. People are watching the volcano very closely.

Vocabulary7 words

volcano
a mountain that can send out fire, smoke, and rock
eruption
when a volcano suddenly sends out fire, smoke, or ash
crater
a big hole at the top of a volcano
explosions
loud, sudden bursts with force
ash
grey dust that comes from fire or a volcano
seismic tremor
small shaking of the ground
airport
a place where planes land and take off

Quiz

1. What is erupting?
2. What is falling on Catania?
3. True or false: The airport could close because of ash.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

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

Mount Etna is a big _____ in Italy. It is on the island of Sicily. Etna started a new _____. The eruption is from a part of the volcano called Voragine. Voragine is a _____.

The volcano is making loud _____. It is also sending _____ into the sky. Ash is small grey dust from the volcano. The ash is falling on the city of Catania.

Scientists say the _____ is growing. This means the ground is shaking more.

The ash is a problem for Catania _____. Ash can be dangerous for planes.

More Nature stories