Mount Aso Volcano Alert Level Raised in Japan
Listen to the story
Japan's weather agency has raised the alert level for Mount Aso, a large volcano in Kumamoto Prefecture, after seeing an increase in activity.
The Nakadake crater, part of Mount Aso, has shown a sharp rise in volcanic gas, which convinced officials to take action.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued special alert information, a type of report used when a volcano's activity clearly changes.
Following this, the agency raised the eruption warning level from a lower number to level 3, out of a scale that goes up to 5.
Level 3 means an entry restriction is now in place, so people are not allowed to go near the volcano's crater area.
The change shows that officials believe the risk of a sudden eruption has grown.
This news comes not long after a strong earthquake hit the Kumamoto region, raising questions among local residents.
Many people have asked whether the earthquake and the rise in volcanic activity are related.
However, the local weather office has said clearly that it does not yet know if there is a connection between the two events.
Scientists often study earthquakes and volcanoes together, because sometimes shaking underground can affect a volcano's magma, the hot melted rock beneath it.
For now, officials are continuing to monitor Mount Aso closely and will update the public if the situation changes.
Local authorities are asking residents and visitors to follow all safety instructions and stay away from the restricted area.
Vocabulary8 words
- volcano
- a mountain that can send out hot rock and gas
- volcanic gas
- gas that comes out from inside a volcano
- special alert information
- an official report warning about danger
- eruption warning level
- a number showing how likely an eruption is
- entry restriction
- a rule stopping people from entering a place
- earthquake
- a sudden shaking of the ground
- magma
- very hot melted rock under the ground
- monitor
- to watch something carefully over time
Quiz
Answer key
1. A sharp rise in volcanic gas 2. People cannot enter the area near the crater 3. No, they said this is not yet known
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japan's weather agency has raised the alert level for Mount Aso, a large _____ in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The Nakadake crater has shown a sharp rise in _____, which convinced officials to take action.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued special _____ information, used when a volcano's activity clearly changes.
The agency raised the eruption warning _____ to level 3, out of a scale that goes up to 5.
Level 3 means an entry _____ is now in place near the volcano's crater area.
This news comes not long after a strong _____ hit the Kumamoto region.
Many people have asked whether the earthquake and the volcano are _____.
The local weather office said it does not yet know if there is a _____ between the two events.
Officials are continuing to _____ Mount Aso closely.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think officials issue different alert levels for volcanoes?
- Have you ever visited or heard about a volcano near where you live?
- Why might it be difficult for scientists to know if an earthquake and a volcano's activity are connected?
- What should people do if they live near an active volcano?