There might be a volcanic eruption in Iceland soon, and it could be dangerous for the town of Grindavík. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has declared a state of emergency and said there’s a big chance of an eruption happening. Experts think it could happen in the next few days. Professor Thor Thordason, who knows a lot about volcanoes, said there’s a long river of hot liquid rock called magma under the Reykjanes peninsula, and the eruption will probably happen in Grindavík.

Lately, there have been lots of small earthquakes near the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. This volcano was dormant for 800 years until it erupted in 2021. The IMO said there’s a tunnel of magma going through Grindavík and it’s not very deep, less than 800 meters. Because of all the earthquakes, the famous Blue Lagoon had to close, and there have been over 20,000 earthquakes in southwest Iceland since October.

The decision to evacuate Grindavík was made because the IMO couldn’t say for sure if the tunnel of magma would reach the town. But the authorities want everyone to stay calm and know that it’s not an emergency evacuation. They’ve closed all the roads going into the town, except for emergencies. People can go back quickly to get important things and their pets. A journalist named Alda Sigmundsdottir said the people in Grindavík are waiting for the eruption to start.

Iceland is a place with a lot of volcanic activity. There are about 30 active volcanoes there. Volcanic eruptions happen when hot liquid rock called magma comes up from deep inside the Earth. In July, the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted, and lots of people went to see the “world’s newest baby volcano.” It had been quiet for 800 years before it erupted in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Original news source: Iceland volcano: Emergency declared over volcano Fagradalsfjall eruption concerns (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Students will be divided into small groups. Each group will be responsible for summarizing a different paragraph from the article, capturing the main points in a few sentences. Afterward, they will present their summaries to the class in a news brief format.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Write a series of statements about the volcanic eruption on the board (e.g., “The government is handling the situation well,” “Evacuating Grindavík is an overreaction,” “Volcanic eruptions are exciting natural events to witness”). Have students stand in a line according to their opinion on the spectrum from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Allow students to discuss their positions with classmates standing near them.

– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “volcano” on the board. Students will take turns saying a word that they associate with “volcano,” which can be anything related to the article, such as “eruption,” “magma,” “earthquake,” etc. If a student repeats a word or cannot think of one, they sit down. The last student standing wins.

– Sketch It
Instructions: In pairs, one student will have a copy of a paragraph from the article without showing it to their partner. The first student will describe the paragraph while the second student attempts to sketch the scenario based on the description. Afterward, they can compare the sketch to the actual content of the paragraph to see how accurately it was portrayed.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to write a short paragraph predicting the future implications of the volcanic eruption in Iceland, considering the impact on the town of Grindavík, tourism, the environment, and the Icelandic people. They should use the present perfect tense to describe the ongoing situation and future modal verbs for their predictions. Share and discuss the predictions as a class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What has the Icelandic Meteorological Office declared due to the possibility of a volcanic eruption?
2. Who is Professor Thor Thordason and what has he said about the situation in Grindavík?
3. What has been happening near the Fagradalsfjall volcano that suggests an eruption might occur?
4. How deep is the tunnel of magma that runs beneath Grindavík, according to the IMO?
5. Why did the famous Blue Lagoon have to close?
6. What measures have been taken to prepare for the potential eruption in Grindavík?
7. How did journalist Alda Sigmundsdottir describe the mood of the people in Grindavík?
8. How long was the Fagradalsfjall volcano dormant before its recent eruptions, and when did these eruptions take place?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

There might be a volcanic eruption in Iceland soon, and it could be (1)______ for the town of Grindavík. The Icelandic Meteorological (2)______ (IMO) has declared a state of emergency and said there’s a big chance of an eruption happening. Experts think it could happen in the next few days. Professor Thor Thordason, who knows a lot about volcanoes, said there’s a long river of hot liquid rock (3)______ magma under the (4)______ peninsula, and the eruption will probably happen in Grindavík.

Lately, there have been lots of small earthquakes near the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. This volcano was (5)______ for 800 years until it erupted in 2021. The IMO said there’s a (6)______ of magma going through Grindavík and it’s not very deep, less than 800 (7)______. Because of all the earthquakes, the famous Blue Lagoon had to (8)______, and there have been over 20,000 earthquakes in (9)______ Iceland since October.

The decision to evacuate (10)______ was made because the IMO couldn’t say for sure if the tunnel of magma would reach the town. But the authorities want everyone to stay calm and know that it’s not an (11)______ evacuation. They’ve closed all the roads going into the town, except for emergencies. People can go back quickly to get important things and their pets. A (12)______ named Alda Sigmundsdottir said the people in Grindavík are waiting for the eruption to start.

Iceland is a place with a lot of (13)______ activity. There are about 30 active volcanoes there. Volcanic eruptions happen when hot liquid rock called magma comes up from deep inside the (14)______. In July, the (15)______ volcano erupted, and lots of people went to see the “world’s (16)______ baby volcano.” It had been quiet for 800 years before it erupted in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a volcanic eruption, and how would you feel if there was one happening near your town?
2. Do you think living near a volcano is dangerous? Why or why not?
3. How do you think the people of Grindavík should prepare for a possible volcanic eruption?
4. Have you ever experienced an earthquake or any other natural disaster? What was it like?
5. Why do you think people are interested in visiting places like the “world’s newest baby volcano”?
6. Do you think it’s a good idea to evacuate a town before a natural disaster? Why or why not?
7. What kind of things would you take with you if you had to quickly leave your home because of an emergency?
8. How important do you think it is for towns to have emergency plans for natural disasters?
9. What is your opinion on closing public places like the Blue Lagoon during natural threats?
10. Do you like the idea of having pets? How would you feel about having to evacuate them in an emergency?
11. How do you think the authorities should keep people calm during a natural disaster?
12. What is a state of emergency, and when do you think it should be declared?
13. Do you believe that scientists can predict natural disasters accurately? Why or why not?
14. Would you like to visit Iceland and see its volcanoes? Why or why not?
15. What do you think makes a volcano like Fagradalsfjall become active after being dormant for 800 years?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. volcanic
2. eruption
3. dangerous
4. peninsula
5. magma
6. earthquakes
7. evacuation
8. activity

Meanings:
(a) Potentially harmful or risky
(b) The occurrence of natural phenomena or events
(c) Hot liquid rock found beneath the Earth’s surface
(d) A piece of land that is almost surrounded by water
(e) The sudden release of hot materials from a volcano
(f) Related to a volcano or volcanoes
(g) Shaking or trembling of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates
(h) The process of moving people out of a dangerous area
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the town in Iceland that might be affected by the volcanic eruption?
(a) Reykjavik
(b) Fagradalsfjall
(c) Grindavík
(d) Blue Lagoon

2. What has the Icelandic Meteorological Office declared in response to the potential eruption?
(a) A state of emergency
(b) A state of calm
(c) A state of confusion
(d) A state of celebration

3. Where is the long river of hot liquid rock called magma located?
(a) Under the Reykjanes peninsula
(b) Under the Blue Lagoon
(c) Under Grindavík
(d) Under Reykjavik

4. How long was the Fagradalsfjall volcano dormant before it erupted in 2021?
(a) 100 years
(b) 800 years
(c) 500 years
(d) 200 years

5. Why did the famous Blue Lagoon have to close?
(a) Due to the volcanic eruption
(b) Due to maintenance
(c) Due to a lack of visitors
(d) Due to the earthquakes

6. How many earthquakes have occurred in southwest Iceland since October?
(a) Over 10,000
(b) Over 20,000
(c) Over 5,000
(d) Over 50,000

7. Why was the decision made to evacuate Grindavík?
(a) The eruption had already started
(b) The town was experiencing severe weather conditions
(c) Uncertainty about the tunnel of magma reaching the town
(d) The town was no longer safe for habitation

8. How many active volcanoes are there in Iceland?
(a) About 10
(b) About 50
(c) About 20
(d) About 30

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Experts believe that the eruption is likely to happen in the town of Grindavík.
2. The eruption in Grindavík is not expected to occur due to a long river of hot liquid rock called magma under the Reykjanes peninsula.
3. The decision to evacuate Grindavík was not made as a precautionary measure, as it is uncertain if the tunnel of magma will reach the town.
4. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has not declared a state of emergency due to the potential volcanic eruption in Iceland.
5. The Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula recently erupted after being dormant for 800 years.
6. There have been under 20,000 earthquakes in southwest Iceland since October.
7. The Blue Lagoon, a famous tourist attraction, had to close due to the recent earthquakes in southwest Iceland.
8. Iceland is known for its volcanic activity, with approximately 30 active volcanoes in the country.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What has the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) announced about the situation in Grindavík?
2. Who is Professor Thor Thordason and what has he said about the potential eruption?
3. What natural phenomenon has been occurring near the Fagradalsfjall volcano, and what impact has it had on the Blue Lagoon?
4. Why have the authorities decided to evacuate Grindavík, and what measures have been taken regarding the town’s accessibility?
5. How often has the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted since it awoke from an 800-year dormancy?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What has the Icelandic Meteorological Office declared due to the possibility of a volcanic eruption?
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has declared a state of emergency because there’s a big chance of an eruption happening soon.

2. Who is Professor Thor Thordason and what has he said about the situation in Grindavík?
Professor Thor Thordason is an expert on volcanoes. He said there’s a river of hot liquid rock, or magma, under the Reykjanes peninsula, and he thinks the eruption will probably happen in Grindavík.

3. What has been happening near the Fagradalsfjall volcano that suggests an eruption might occur?
There have been a lot of small earthquakes near the Fagradalsfjall volcano, which suggests an eruption might happen.

4. How deep is the tunnel of magma that runs beneath Grindavík, according to the IMO?
According to the IMO, the tunnel of magma that runs beneath Grindavík is less than 800 meters deep.

5. Why did the famous Blue Lagoon have to close?
The famous Blue Lagoon had to close because of all the earthquakes happening in the area.

6. What measures have been taken to prepare for the potential eruption in Grindavík?
To prepare for the potential eruption, authorities have closed all roads going into Grindavík except for emergencies, and people can return quickly to get important things and their pets.

7. How did journalist Alda Sigmundsdottir describe the mood of the people in Grindavík?
Journalist Alda Sigmundsdottir said the people in Grindavík are waiting for the eruption to start.

8. How long was the Fagradalsfjall volcano dormant before its recent eruptions, and when did these eruptions take place?
The Fagradalsfjall volcano was dormant for 800 years before it erupted in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) dangerous
(2) Office
(3) called
(4) Reykjanes
(5) dormant
(6) tunnel
(7) meters
(8) close
(9) southwest
(10) Grindavík
(11) emergency
(12) journalist
(13) volcanic
(14) Earth
(15) Fagradalsfjall
(16) newest
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. volcanic
Answer: (f) Related to a volcano or volcanoes

2. eruption
Answer: (e) The sudden release of hot materials from a volcano

3. dangerous
Answer: (a) Potentially harmful or risky

4. peninsula
Answer: (d) A piece of land that is almost surrounded by water

5. magma
Answer: (c) Hot liquid rock found beneath the Earth’s surface

6. earthquakes
Answer: (g) Shaking or trembling of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates

7. evacuation
Answer: (h) The process of moving people out of a dangerous area

8. activity
Answer: (b) The occurrence of natural phenomena or events
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the town in Iceland that might be affected by the volcanic eruption?
Answer: (c) Grindavík

2. What has the Icelandic Meteorological Office declared in response to the potential eruption?
Answer: (a) A state of emergency

3. Where is the long river of hot liquid rock called magma located?
Answer: (a) Under the Reykjanes peninsula

4. How long was the Fagradalsfjall volcano dormant before it erupted in 2021?
Answer: (b) 800 years

5. Why did the famous Blue Lagoon have to close?
Answer: (d) Due to the earthquakes

6. How many earthquakes have occurred in southwest Iceland since October?
Answer: (b) Over 20,000

7. Why was the decision made to evacuate Grindavík?
Answer: (c) Uncertainty about the tunnel of magma reaching the town

8. How many active volcanoes are there in Iceland?
Answer: (d) About 30
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Experts believe that the eruption is likely to happen in the town of Grindavík. (Answer: True)
2. The eruption in Grindavík is not expected to occur due to a long river of hot liquid rock called magma under the Reykjanes peninsula. (Answer: False)
3. The decision to evacuate Grindavík was not made as a precautionary measure, as it is uncertain if the tunnel of magma will reach the town. (Answer: False)
4. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has not declared a state of emergency due to the potential volcanic eruption in Iceland. (Answer: False)
5. The Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula recently erupted after being dormant for 800 years. (Answer: True)
6. There have been under 20,000 earthquakes in southwest Iceland since October. (Answer: False)
7. The Blue Lagoon, a famous tourist attraction, had to close due to the recent earthquakes in southwest Iceland. (Answer: True)
8. Iceland is known for its volcanic activity, with approximately 30 active volcanoes in the country. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧