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Earth's Formation: 2025 Natural Disasters

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9 views6 pages

Earth's Formation: 2025 Natural Disasters

Uploaded by

Adriano Gomes
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ENGLISH ACTIVITY – GROUP WORK

Topic: Earth’s Formation – Natural Disasters


Group 1 – Kamchatka Earthquake and Volcanic Eruptions (2025)

Instructions for Students


1. Read the news text carefully.
2. Work together in your group to understand the information.
3. Answer all six questions in complete sentences in a slide/presentation.
4. Use pictures/videos to illustrate the presentation.
5. Be ready to share your answers with the class.
6. Use the vocabulary from the chapter (earthquake, eruption, magma, plate boundary, etc.).
7. Remember: write your texts in English.

News Text (Adapted)


On July 30, 2025, a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula,
in the Pacific Ocean. Scientists confirmed it was the sixth-largest earthquake ever recorded by modern instruments.
The earthquake immediately triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, reaching as far as Japan, Hawaii,
Chile, and French Polynesia. Although no giant tsunami reached the land, thousands of people stayed on alert for
several hours.
After the earthquake, something very unusual happened: six volcanoes erupted almost at the same time,
including the Krasheninnikov volcano, which had been dormant for around 600 years. Scientists described this as a
“parade of volcanic eruptions.” They explained that the violent shaking of the earthquake released energy and
destabilized magma chambers under the region.
The Kamchatka Peninsula is one of the most
active volcanic areas in the world because it lies on a
convergent plate boundary. Here, the Pacific Plate is
subducting under the Okhotsk Plate. This subduction
zone produces powerful earthquakes and explosive
volcanic eruptions, making Kamchatka part of the
famous Ring of Fire.
Experts highlighted that the 2025 event shows
how tectonic plates in motion can produce chain
reactions: first an earthquake, then tsunami warnings,
and later volcanic eruptions. For scientists, it is a
reminder of the enormous power stored in the Earth’s
crust.
Source (adapted from): Reuters (2025), ABC News (2025), Scientific American (2025).

earthquake: terremoto coast: costa recorded: registrado


triggered: desencadeou warning: alerta nearby: próximo
dormant: adormecido/inativo rare: raro parade: desfile/série
magma chamber: câmara de magma crust: crosta terrestre subducting: subduzindo (descendo sob)
boundary: limite energy release: liberação de energia shaking: tremor/balanço
chain reaction: reação em cadeia stored: armazenado mantle: manto terrestre

Questions
1. What was the magnitude and date of the earthquake?
2. Why is this earthquake considered one of the largest in history?
3. Which warnings were triggered right after the earthquake?
4. What unusual geological event happened after the quake?
5. What does the expression “parade of volcanic eruptions” describe in this text?
6. Which type of plate boundary is found in Kamchatka, and how does it cause earthquakes and volcanoes?
ENGLISH ACTIVITY – GROUP WORK
Topic: Earth’s Formation – Natural Disasters
Group 2 – Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki Eruption (2025)

Instructions for Students


1. Read the news text carefully.
2. Work together in your group to understand the information.
3. Answer all six questions in complete sentences in a slide/presentation.
4. Use pictures/videos to illustrate the presentation.
5. Be ready to share your answers with the class.
6. Use the vocabulary from the chapter (eruption, ash cloud, magma, plate boundary, etc.).
7. Remember: write your texts in English.

News Text (Adapted)


On July 7, 2025, the Mount Lewotobi Laki
Laki volcano, located on Flores Island in Indonesia,
produced a powerful explosive eruption. The event
sent a massive ash column up to 18 kilometers high,
one of the tallest recorded in the region.
The eruption forced the evacuation of nearby
villages, and flights were canceled because volcanic
ash can damage airplane engines. Local authorities
also distributed masks to people because of the
dangerous air pollution.
Scientists explained that the eruption was
connected to the subduction of the Indo-Australian
Plate under the Sunda Plate, a typical convergent plate boundary. In this type of boundary, one plate sinks beneath
another, producing intense pressure and allowing magma to rise violently to the surface.
Volcanoes in Indonesia are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most active tectonic regions in the world.
Experts reminded the population that living in this area means facing constant risks of earthquakes, tsunamis, and
volcanic eruptions.
Source (adapted from): Reuters (2025), NASA Earth Observatory (2025).

ash column: coluna de cinzas evacuation: evacuação nearby: próximo


flights canceled: voos cancelados engines: motores masks: máscaras
pollution: poluição subduction: subducção boundary: limite
pressure: pressão rise: subir/elevar dangerous: perigoso
risks: riscos authorities: autoridades damage: dano/prejuízo

Questions
1. When and where did the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki happen?
2. How tall was the ash column produced by the eruption?
3. What two immediate measures were taken to protect people after the eruption?
4. Why were flights canceled during this event?
5. What type of plate boundary caused this eruption, and which plates were involved?
6. Why is Indonesia considered one of the most dangerous regions for natural disasters?
ENGLISH ACTIVITY – GROUP WORK
Topic: Earth’s Formation – Natural Disasters
Group 3 – Reykjanes Peninsula Eruption (2025)

Instructions for Students


1. Read the news text carefully.
2. Work together in your group to understand the information.
3. Answer all six questions in complete sentences in a slide/presentation.
4. Use pictures/videos to illustrate the presentation.
5. Be ready to share your answers with the class.
6. Use the vocabulary from the chapter (eruption, fissure, magma, plate boundary, evacuation, etc.).
7. Remember: write your texts in English.

News Text (Adapted)


On July 16, 2025, a new volcanic fissure
opened on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland,
producing dramatic lava flows. The crack stretched
almost 1 kilometer long, releasing magma directly
from the ground.
This was the 12th eruption in the region since
2021 and the ninth since December 2023. The
continuous activity has changed the landscape,
destroyed roads, and damaged infrastructure.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of the town of
Grindavík and closed the famous Blue Lagoon
geothermal spa, one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions.
Scientists explained that Iceland is located on a divergent plate boundary, where the North American Plate and
the Eurasian Plate are slowly moving apart. As the plates separate, magma rises to fill the gap, creating fissure eruptions
like the one in Reykjanes.
This process is part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a massive underwater mountain range that runs through the ocean
floor. Iceland is one of the few places where people can directly see these processes happening on land.
Source (adapted from): Washington Post (2025), Visit Reykjanes Official Updates (2025).

fissure: fenda/rachadura crack: rachadura/fissura lava flow: fluxo de lava


landscape: paisagem damaged: danificado evacuation: evacuação
geothermal spa: spa geotérmico ridge: dorsal/cadeia separate: separar
underwater: subaquático fill the gap: preencher o espaço active: ativo
infrastructure: infraestrutura located: localizado directly: diretamente

Questions
1. When and where did the fissure eruption occur in Iceland?
2. How long was the volcanic crack that opened on Reykjanes Peninsula?
3. How many eruptions have occurred in the region since 2021?
4. Which two important places were evacuated or closed during the eruption?
5. What type of plate boundary caused this eruption, and which plates were involved?
6. Why is Iceland a special location to study divergent boundaries?
ENGLISH ACTIVITY – GROUP WORK
Topic: Earth’s Formation – Natural Disasters
Group 4 – Askja and Krafla Rift Activity (Iceland, 2024–2025)

Instructions for Students


1. Read the news text carefully.
2. Work together in your group to understand the information.
3. Answer all six questions in complete sentences in a slide/presentation.
4. Use pictures/videos to illustrate the presentation.
5. Be ready to share your answers with the class.
6. Use the vocabulary from the chapter (rift, eruption, magma, seismic activity, plate boundary, etc.).
7. Remember: write your texts in English.

News Text (Adapted)


In 2024 and 2025, scientists observed
intense seismic activity and signs of magma
movement under the Askja and Krafla volcanic
systems in northern Iceland. Hundreds of small
earthquakes shook the region, and satellite
images showed the ground rising and deforming
due to magma intrusions.
Although no massive eruption has occurred
yet, experts warned that the region is preparing for
future volcanic activity. The area is part of the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American
Plate and the Eurasian Plate are moving apart,
creating a divergent boundary.
Askja is known for its large caldera and the Öskjuvatn crater lake, while Krafla has produced famous fissure
eruptions in the past, especially during the Krafla Fires (1975–1984), when lava covered large areas of land.
Researchers explained that the current unrest is a reminder that Iceland is one of the few places in the world where
people can directly observe rifting processes on land. This makes it an important natural laboratory to study plate
tectonics.
Source (adapted from): Icelandic Meteorological Office (2025), BBC Science News (2024).

seismic activity: atividade sísmica magma intrusion: intrusão magmática deforming: deformando
satellite images: imagens de satélite caldera: caldeira vulcânica crater lake: lago de cratera
famous: famoso covered: cobriu/coberto unrest: agitação/inquietação
reminder: lembrete rifting: abertura de fenda (rifteamento) laboratory: laboratório
observe: observar processes: processos rising: elevando/subindo

Questions
1. Which two volcanic systems in Iceland showed high activity in 2024–2025?
2. What evidence showed that magma was moving under the ground?
3. What important geological feature does Askja contain?
4. What historical eruptions are mentioned in the text about Krafla?
5. What type of plate boundary is responsible for this activity, and which plates are involved?
6. Why is Iceland considered a “natural laboratory” for studying tectonics?
ENGLISH ACTIVITY – GROUP WORK
Topic: Earth’s Formation – Natural Disasters
Group 5 – Myanmar Earthquake (2025)

Instructions for Students


1. Read the news text carefully.
2. Work together in your group to understand the information.
3. Answer all six questions in complete sentences in a slide/presentation.
4. Use pictures/videos to illustrate the presentation.
5. Be ready to share your answers with the class.
6. Use the vocabulary from the chapter (earthquake, fault, shaking, plate boundary, damage, etc.).
7. Remember: write your texts in English.

News Text (Adapted)


On March 28, 2025, a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar, near the city of Mandalay. It was one
of the strongest earthquakes in the country’s history and caused widespread destruction.
More than 800 people were killed, and thousands were injured. Buildings, bridges, and roads were damaged, and
rescue teams worked for days to save survivors. Some people were
found alive even after 90 hours trapped under collapsed
structures.
Scientists explained that the earthquake happened along the
Sagaing Fault, a major transform plate boundary in Myanmar. In
this type of boundary, two tectonic plates slide past each other
horizontally, creating intense pressure until it is suddenly released.
This movement produces violent shaking but usually no volcanic
eruptions.
The event was compared to the famous San Andreas Fault
in California, which also generates strong transform earthquakes.
Experts said the 2025 Myanmar quake is a reminder of how
destructive plate motion can be when stress is released suddenly.
Source (adapted from): Reuters (2025), The Guardian (2025), USGS (2025).

quake: abalo sísmico epicenter: epicentro aftershock: réplica sísmica


magnitude: magnitude/intensidade struck: atingiu widespread: amplo/espalhado
destruction: destruição collapsed: desmoronado trapped: preso
survivors: sobreviventes casualties: vítimas (mortos/feridos) injured: ferido
rescue: resgate debris: destroços rubble: escombros
fault line: falha geológica boundary: limite tectonic plates: placas tectônicas
shaking: tremor rupture: ruptura release of energy: liberação de energia
stress: pressão/tensão damage: dano/prejuízo rebuild: reconstruir
response: resposta (a um desastre) relief: socorro/ajuda emergency: emergência

Questions
1. When and where did the 2025 Myanmar earthquake happen?
2. What was the magnitude of the earthquake?
3. How many people were killed, and what kind of damage did it cause?
4. How long were some survivors trapped under collapsed buildings?
5. What type of plate boundary caused this earthquake, and what is its name?
6. Why is the 2025 Myanmar earthquake compared to the San Andreas Fault in California?
ENGLISH ACTIVITY – GROUP WORK
Topic: Earth’s Formation – Natural Disasters
Group 6 – Kīlauea Volcano Eruptions (Hawaii, 2024–2025)

Instructions for Students


1. Read the news text carefully.
2. Work together in your group to understand the information.
3. Answer all six questions in complete sentences in a slide/presentation.
4. Use pictures/videos to illustrate the presentation.
5. Be ready to share your answers with the class.
6. Use the vocabulary from the chapter (lava, eruption, hotspot, magma, volcano, plate movement, etc.).
7. Remember: write your texts in English.

News Text (Adapted)


On December 23, 2024, the Kīlauea volcano
in Hawaii began a new eruption inside Halemaʻumaʻu
crater, located within Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park. Lava fountains reached over 300 meters high,
creating spectacular night views.
The eruption continued in 2025 with
intermittent activity, sometimes pausing and then
restarting. Tourists visited safe observation points,
while scientists from the US Geological Survey
(USGS) closely monitored the volcano with drones,
seismographs, and satellite images.
Unlike many volcanoes located at plate
boundaries, Kīlauea is part of a hotspot in the middle of the Pacific Plate. A hotspot is a fixed area of very hot mantle
that melts rock and produces magma. As the Pacific Plate slowly moves over the hotspot, new volcanoes form, creating
the Hawaiian Islands chain.
Experts explained that the Hawaiian hotspot is one of the most studied in the world. The 2024–2025 eruptions of
Kīlauea show how intraplate volcanism can be just as powerful and dangerous as eruptions in subduction zones.
Source (adapted from): USGS (2025), Big Island Video News (2025), National Geographic (2024).

eruption: erupção lava fountain: fonte de lava crater: cratera


height: altura monitored: monitorado drone: drone (aeronave não tripulada)
seismograph: sismógrafo satellite images: imagens de satélite observation point: ponto de observação
hotspot: ponto quente mantle: manto terrestre intraplate volcanism: vulcanismo intraplaca
plate movement: movimento de placa chain: cadeia (de ilhas) formed: formado
magma: magma flow: fluxo powerful: poderoso
dangerous: perigoso continue: continuar restart: reiniciar
tourists: turistas scientists: cientistas studied: estudado
reminder: lembrete spectacular: espetacular eruption pause: pausa da erupção

Questions
1. When did the new eruption of Kīlauea begin?
2. How tall were the lava fountains observed in Halemaʻumaʻu crater?
3. How did scientists monitor the volcano during its activity?
4. What is a hotspot, and how does it explain the location of Kīlauea?
5. How does the movement of the Pacific Plate create the Hawaiian Islands?
6. Why is Kīlauea an important example of intraplate volcanism?

Common questions

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The Hawaiian hotspot is a stationary area of intense volcanic activity isolated from tectonic plate boundaries, responsible for the volcanic activity of Kīlauea and the formation of the Hawaiian Islands . This hotspot allows magma to melt through the Pacific Plate, leading to intraplate volcanism unlike the boundary-driven processes seen in regions like Kamchatka or Indonesia . Unlike subduction zones where volcanoes are formed by converging plates, the Hawaiian hotspot creates a series of volcanic islands as the Pacific Plate drifts over it. Kīlauea's 2024-2025 eruptions demonstrate the sustained but non-boundary-related volcanic activity typical of hotspots, offering insights distinct from tectonic boundary phenomena .

The volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula in 2025 illustrates key geological processes associated with divergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create new crust . The fissure eruption, characterized by a kilometer-long crack and lava flows, showcases how magma from the mantle rises to fill gaps as the North American Plate and Eurasian Plate slowly separate . These fissure eruptions are part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, exemplifying continuous crustal creation and volcanic activity typical of diverging boundaries . Such processes make Iceland a unique location for observing plate tectonics directly, serving as a 'natural laboratory' .

The 2025 eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, part of Iceland's ongoing volcanic activity, enhances understanding of divergent tectonic boundaries by providing a direct observational platform for processes typically occurring underwater at mid-ocean ridges . This ongoing activity offers insights into how the North American and Eurasian Plates split apart, resulting in magma rising to form new crust . By studying surface rifting and volcanic events, scientists can gain insights into the natural cycle of crust formation and plate tectonics, assisting in predicting geological phenomena and understanding Earth's evolutionary processes . Iceland's visibility of these processes on land makes it an unparalleled research area for natural plate tectonic laboratories .

Askja and Krafla in Iceland are significant for studying rift activity due to their direct location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a diverging tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian Plates . Askja features a large caldera and the Öskjuvatn crater lake, while Krafla is known for its history of fissure eruptions, notably the Krafla Fires . These features provide an exceptional opportunity to observe active rifting processes and the creation of new crust on land, unlike many oceanic ridges . The visible rifting and volcanic activity in Iceland offer unique insights into crustal dynamics, magma movement, and geological evolution not readily observable at similar underwater ridge systems elsewhere .

The evacuation measures taken during the Reykjanes Peninsula eruption in 2025 highlighted the complex challenges of responding to volcanic emergencies within active tectonic regions. Authorities evacuated Grindavík and closed the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, actions necessary to ensure public safety given the destruction of infrastructures and change in landscape caused by the ongoing volcanic activity . These actions demonstrate the need for rapid and organized disaster management strategies in geologically volatile areas, emphasizing the importance of pre-established evacuation plans and public awareness to mitigate risks associated with sudden eruptions .

The 2025 Myanmar earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.7, aligns with the typical characteristics of transform plate boundaries where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, accumulating stress that once released leads to earthquakes . This event occurred along the Sagaing Fault, akin to the mechanics of the San Andreas Fault in California, showcasing the potential for strong, destructive earthquakes without volcanic activity due to the lateral plate movement . Both faults exemplify transform boundary dynamics, where the sudden release of built-up pressure causes significant ground shaking and potential widespread destruction, such as the damage found in Mandalay, Myanmar .

The observed seismic activity and ground deformation at the Askja and Krafla volcanic systems between 2024 and 2025 provide valuable insights into rifting processes on Earth. These systems lie along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where divergent boundaries facilitate the movement of the North American and Eurasian Plates apart . The seismic events and magma intrusions indicate an active rifting zone, with ground deformation shown in satellite images suggesting magma movement beneath the surface, a precursor to potential eruptions . The historical eruptions during the Krafla Fires (1975-1984) and the presence of geographical features like Askja's caldera make these systems critical for studying ongoing crustal formation and tectonic processes . Iceland's unique position at this boundary offers researchers an immediate window into understanding tectonic movements and the creation of new crust .

The 2025 eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki underscores the dangers posed by volcanic ash clouds, which can reach significant altitudes—18 kilometers in this case—posing risks to aviation by damaging engines and impacting visibility . The eruption necessitated the cancellation of flights and the distribution of masks to protect against respiratory hazards, illustrating the impact of ash on health and infrastructure . Mitigation measures include airspace management to avoid ash clouds, public advisories about mask usage, and strategic evacuations to ensure safety. These actions reflect essential steps for reducing risks from volcanic ash in active regions .

The eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in July 2025 highlights the multifaceted risks that inhabitants of tectonically active regions like Indonesia face. The eruption, caused by the subduction of the Indo-Australian Plate under the Sunda Plate, sent a massive ash column 18 kilometers high, demonstrating the explosive potential of volcanoes in this area . The immediate evacuation of nearby villages and cancellation of flights due to ash dangers reflect how such events can disrupt lives and infrastructure. The distribution of masks also underscores the health hazards from volcanic ash . Living in such regions inherently involves not only the threat of eruptions but also of accompanying earthquakes and tsunamis, as these activities are interconnected along tectonic boundaries .

The high volcanic activity in the Kamchatka Peninsula is primarily due to its location on a convergent plate boundary where the Pacific Plate is subducting under the Okhotsk Plate . This geological setup results in intense pressure and the release of energy, often causing both powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The 2025 earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.8, released significant energy, destabilizing nearby magma chambers and triggering a series of volcanic eruptions described as a 'parade of volcanic eruptions' . This event exemplifies the typical chain reactions in tectonically active regions, where plate movements can lead to successive natural disasters like earthquakes followed by volcanic eruptions and potential tsunami threats .

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