2020英语教学资源：时文阅读|新型传感器有助于预测火山爆发

时文阅读|新型传感器有助于预测火山爆发

从前，人们在面对突如其来的自然灾害时，只能无奈地接受它们带来的苦难，被迫流离失所，甚至付出生命代价。如今，监测系统的发展使得科学家能够监测灾害来临前的迹象，这无疑给人们留出了应对灾害的时间，从而大大减少伤亡、降低损失。现在，让我们去了解一种可以预测火山爆发的新型装置吧。

阅读短文并回答问题

Compared to other causes of natural disasters, volcanoes offer clues only when they are about to erupt. Now, however, developments in monitoring systems have allowed scientists to develop sensors（传感器）to detect and consequently forecast eruptions, allowing authorities to plan for them with increasing precision.

University of Cambridge volcanologist Marie Edmonds says that scientists are now able to use very precise sensors that monitor the gases volcanoes emit, which can give clues on the location of the magma（岩浆）. The sensors help with prediction because different gases are emitted at various stages of an eruption. When magma rises, pressure is released along with gases. Carbon dioxide is released early on and then, as the magma goes higher, sulphur dioxide is released. The ratio（比例）of the two gases is used to detect the location of magma relative to the surface, telling researchers the imminence of the eruption.

 Edmonds is connected to an international group known as the Deep Carbon Observatory that has worked to put new gas sensors on fifteen of the most active and dangerous volcanoes to improve the forecasting of various types of eruptions. The gas sensors continually measure water vapor, sulphur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. They are placed inside large boxes with surface antennae（触角）and buried underground. Advances in electronics have increased their precision and lowered their cost, allowing more of them to be used worldwide.

Putting these sensors atop active volcanoes is dangerous. Scientists wear reflective suits that protect against heat, plus gas masks for protection from corrosive gases. They sometimes hike long distances in remote regions to reach a site. However, according to Edmonds, the work they do to save people’s lives makes a dangerous job worth it. She enjoys doing something that helps people.

Edmonds’ team has also attached sensors to drones to measure emissions from a Papua New Guinea volcano for a short time, a technique developed to gather “snapshots” of the activity. These snapshots help researchers to better understand the complexities of activities that lead to eruptions.

1.How do sensors detect and predict volcanic eruptions?

A. By sending warnings to researchers.

B. By measuring the heat underground.           

C. By tracking different gases released.           

    D. By studying the surrounding emissions.             

2. What do we know about the gas sensors?

A. They should be attached to the magma.

B. They are available around the world.

C. They can check various types of eruptions.

D. They become more accurate and expensive.

3. Why is it risky to place sensors atop active volcanoes?

A. There is heat and dangerous gases.

B. It’s hard to find the top of volcanoes.

C. Scientists lack enough suits and masks.

D. Active volcanoes may erupt at any time.

4. What are the snapshots for?

A. Predicting volcanic eruptions earlier.

B. Attracting people’s attention to volcanoes.

C. Avoiding the danger of the researchers’ work.

D. Collecting more information for researchers.

【参考答案】CBAD

 

单词学习

1. emit  v. 发出；散发

  Sulphur gases were emitted by the volcano.  硫磺气体由火山喷发出来。

2. sulphur  n. 硫磺

  Burning sulphur creates poisonous fumes.  燃烧的硫磺会产生有毒烟雾。

3. atop  prep. 在……顶上  a flag high atop a pole  高挂在旗杆顶端的旗子

4. corrosive  adj. 腐蚀性的

  Sodium and sulphur are highly corrosive.  钠和硫有高度的腐蚀性。

5. drone  n. 无人机

6. snapshot  n. 快照

  Let me take a snapshot of you guys.  让我给你们拍张快照。

 

     长难句分析

University of Cambridge volcanologist Marie Edmonds says that scientists are now able to use very precise sensors that monitor the gases volcanoes emit, which can give clues on the location of the magma.

【分析】句子主语为“Marie Edmonds”；“that scientists are now…location of the magma”为“says”的宾语从句，其中“scientists are able to use sensors”为宾语从句的主干；“that monitor the gases volcanoes emit”为定语从句，修饰先行词“instruments”；“volcanoes emit”为定语从句，修饰先行词“gases”；“which can give clues on the location of the magma”为非限定性定语从句，“which”代指前面整个句子。

【翻译】剑桥大学的火山学家玛丽·埃德蒙兹说，他们现在能够用非常精确的仪器来监测火山释放的气体，从而提供岩浆的位置线索。

 

   知识拓展

1. University of Cambridge  剑桥大学，世界顶尖的公立研究型大学，坐落于英国剑桥。剑桥大学是英语世界中第二古老的大学，其前身是一个于1209年成立的学者协会。

2. the Deep Carbon Observatory  深碳观测站，是一个全球研究项目，旨在转变人们对碳在地球发展中作用的认识。

3. Papua New Guinea  巴布亚新几内亚独立国(Independent State of Papua New Guinea)，简称巴布亚新几内亚，是南太平洋西部的一个岛国，大洋洲第二大国，也是英联邦成员国。

 

声明：

原文选自Nature World News，试题与内容讲解由天学网教学研究中心编写。