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A volcano started erupting near Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, on Monday.
The lava is flowing out of the ground near Litli Hrútur Mountain. Smoke is coming out and going towards the northwest.
Before the eruption, there were thousands of small earthquakes in the area. It was a sign that the hot liquid rock under the ground was moving and that an eruption was about to happen.
This eruption is only a few kilometers away from two other eruptions that happened in the past two years. The first eruption was in the Geldingadalur Valley in March 2021, which lasted for six months. The second eruption was in the Meradalir Valley in August 2022, which lasted for three weeks.
Before the 2021 eruption, there hadn’t been any volcanic activity in that area for 800 years.
Iceland has 33 active volcanoes, which is more than any other country in Europe. On average, there is an eruption every five years.
In 2010, a big volcano called Eyjafjallajökull erupted and caused many flights to be canceled. However, the most recent eruptions haven’t been dangerous, nor have they affected flights.
One of the most dangerous volcanoes in Iceland is called Katla, near the south coast of the country. The last time it erupted was in 1918, and some experts think it might erupt again soon.
The eruption of the Laki volcano in 1783 was terrible for Iceland. Between 50% and 80% of the country’s farm animals died, and many people starved because there wasn’t enough food.
Vocabulary
- Volcano – 🌋; a mountain or hill that sometimes explodes and hot earth, gas and smoke come out
- Erupt – To burst out suddenly and sometimes violently; to explode
- Capital – the most important city or town of a country or region, usually the location of the government
- Lava – Hot, melted rock that flows out of a volcano
- Flow – to move smoothly and steadily, like water in a river
- Earthquake – a natural event where the ground shakes and moves suddenly and strongly, caused by the movement of rocks deep beneath the earth’s surface
- Sign – a signal that something exists or that shows what might happen in the future; indication; demonstration; mark; proof
- Liquid – something that is not solid or gas, like water or juice. It can flow and take the shape of its container
- Last – to continue to exist; to continue for a period of time;
- Activity – The state of being active or busy; something happening; busyness; action; events happening
- Active – currently happening; currently working
- On average – the typical or usual amount or number when you look at a lot of examples
- Flight – a trip on a plane; travel by airplane
- Nor – Nor is used to say “not this one and not that one.” It’s like saying “neither.”
- Affect – to have an influence on or change something;
- Coast – the land along the edge of the sea or an ocean; where land meets water
- Expert – a person with great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession
- Starve – To die because you do not have enough food; to be very hungry
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- What do you think are the major challenges faced by the people living near active volcanoes?
- How do you think the recent eruptions near Reykjavik will impact tourism in Iceland?
- Do you think the government should implement stricter regulations for building infrastructure near active volcano zones? Why or why not?
- Would you visit a country with a high number of active volcanoes? Why or why not?
Original Story
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