新闻原文

Predicting volcanic eruptions is never easy. For centuries, volcanologists and seismologists have studied the activity beneath Earth that might indicate an eruption. Forecasting when a volcano might erupt has been somewhat unreliable. However, scientists from NASA and the Smithsonian Institution say they are a step closer to providing more accurate forecasts of when a volcano might blow. NASA used images from space to detect changes in the colour of leaves. The research was based on a 2019 study from McGill University. This study showed that an increase in carbon dioxide levels emitted by two active volcanoes in Costa Rica had an impact on the colour of leaves in the surrounding areas. 

Current methods of predicting an imminent volcanic explosion include checking seismic activity, changes in ground height, and carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide emissions. NASA said the new method of monitoring changes in the colour of foliage from space could help in foretelling eruptions. The science behind this is fairly straightforward. As magma moves upwards through Earth's crust, it releases carbon dioxide. Trees absorb this and their leaves become greener and more vibrant. The LiveScience website said: "These signs can help to protect communities against the worst effects of volcanic blasts, including lava flows, ejected rocks, ashfalls, mudslides, and toxic gas clouds."

重点词汇和短语

• predict 预测

• volcanic eruption 火山喷发

• volcanologist 火山学家

• seismologist 地震学家

• beneath 在…下面

• forecast 预测，预报

• carbon dioxide (CO₂) 二氧化碳

• foliage （统称）树叶

• magma 岩浆

• vibrant 鲜艳的，有活力的

• imminent 即将发生的

重要句型和表达

Predicting volcanic eruptions is never easy.
 预测火山喷发从来都不容易。
 （主语 + 动名词做主语；never + 形容词/副词表示否定）

Scientists say they are a step closer to providing more accurate forecasts.
 科学家们说他们距离提供更准确的预测更近了一步。
 （be a step closer to + doing sth 表示“更接近于做某事”）

The research showed that an increase in carbon dioxide had an impact on the colour of leaves.
 研究显示二氧化碳增加影响了树叶的颜色。
 （had an impact on 影响）

NASA used images from space to detect changes in the colour of leaves.
 NASA利用太空图像来探测树叶颜色的变化。
 （used ... to do sth 表示“利用...做某事”）

These signs can help to protect communities against the worst effects of volcanic blasts.
 这些迹象能帮助保护社区免受火山爆发最严重影响。
 （help to do sth / help sb do sth）

判断正误题（True / False）

1. The article says predicting volcanic eruptions is relatively easy. False

2. Volcanologists and seismologists study the activity beneath Earth. True

3. NASA said the colour of trees might help to predict volcanic eruptions. True

4. Two volcanic eruptions in Costa Rica changed the colour of trees. False

5. Volcanologists check levels of carbon and sulphur dioxide. True

6. The article says the science behind NASA's new method is confusing. False

7. A website said the new method could help to protect communities. True

8. The website mentioned earthquakes as a bad effect of volcanoes. False

小贴士

通过这篇新闻，我们不仅了解了科学家们如何利用树叶颜色来预测火山喷发，还学到了不少实用表达：

• 用 predict + 名词 或 predict + 动名词 表示“预测某事”。

• 用 be a step closer to + doing sth 表示“更接近于做某事”。

• 表达“有影响”时常用 have an impact on。

• 描述“帮助做某事”时用 help to do sth / help sb do sth。

• 注意区别“瞬间事件”和“持续状态”的表达，像火山喷发虽是瞬间事件，但树叶颜色的变化是持续的过程。