Instructions: COMPLETE ALL QUESTIONS AND MARGIN NOTES using the CLOSE reading strategies practiced in class. This requires
reading of the article three times.
Step 1: Skim the article using these symbols as you read:
(+) agree, (-) disagree, (*) important, (!) surprising, (?) wondering
Step 2: Number the paragraphs. Read the article carefully and make notes in the margin.
Notes should include:
o Comments that show that you understand the article. (A summary or statement of the main idea of important sections may serve this
purpose.)
o Questions you have that show what you are wondering about as you read.
o Notes that differentiate between fact and opinion.
o
Observations about how the writer’s strategies (organization, word choice, perspective, support) and choices affect the article.
Step 3: A final quick read noting anything you may have missed during the first two reads.
Your margin notes are part of your score for this assessment. Answer the questions carefully in complete sentences
September 28, 2014
Yellowstone Volcano Has Preppers
Worried About Supervolcano Eruption
Causing Global Cooling
The Yellowstone volcano has long been a source of
speculation, but in 2014 the level of public interest
surged and the internet searches skyrocketed. This
caused the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
to respond to rumors that the Yellowstone
supervolcano might blow any day now, which
seems to have calmed most people’s fears. But
preppers like to be prepared for anything, even
climate change, and since the potential for a
supervolcano eruption is truly scary, some are
saying it’s time to start stockpiling now. But not for
global warming… instead it’s time to bundle up for
global cooling.
unless otherwise instructed.
Name: _____________________
On the right side of the article you should make
notes on your thoughts, reactions and questions
as you read:
In a related report by The Inquisitr, it’s claimed that
oil fracking could induce earthquakes, so The
Inquisitr asked several scientists whether or not it’s
possible that earthquakes induced by U.S. oil
fracking could affect the Yellowstone supervolcano.
Interestingly enough, it turns out that an alternative
energy company is already hydro fracking a
dormant volcano out west in hopes of siphoning off
some of that geothermal energy being produced in
mass quantities. But while these geothermal plants
could generate alternative electricity, some people
still may not like the idea since a recent study
claims that living near a fracking site puts people in
risk of developing lung and skin conditions.
Still, most people don’t care too much about the
debate over energy. The real concern is whether or
not the Yellowstone supervolcano will blow in our
lifetimes. It is true that about 60 volcanoes erupt
each year all over the planet, which does sound kind
of alarming at first glance. Even the USGS has
previously estimated the annual odds of a
Yellowstone volcano eruption being somewhere in
the range of 730,000 to one. But leading expert Dr.
Robert Smith is a little bit more conservative with
his estimate, putting it closer to one million to one.
Regardless of the odds, a writer for the PostIntelligencer posed the worst case scenario that any
Doomsday Preppers fan might find interesting.
“Scientists warn that it might not be long until a
super volcano under Yellowstone Park erupts. By
comparison, Mount St. Helens was a puff of smoke.
In 1980, Mount St. Helens, in the State of
Washington erupted. The eruption was the only
significant one to occur in the lower 48 U.S. states
since 1915. Two months of prior earthquakes and
steam-venting episodes were warnings. A column
of smoke rose 15 miles into the atmosphere and
affected 11 U.S. states. Fifty-seven people died.
Does Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park ring a bell?
Something is going on there, and it is a scary
thought.”
Scary is probably an understatement. The USGS
recently discussed a study where the ash
distribution of a Yellowstone volcano eruption was
modeled, and practically a good chunk of the
American Midwest would be covered in black ash.
But preppers prepare for everything, and in this
case, a massive volcanic eruption could potentially
trigger global cooling.
“The problem would then become food, water,
clean air, and warm clothes and shelters. Massive
volcano dark clouds would shut out sunlight. Heavy
dark clouds would reduce plant growth, and that
would lead to food shortages for this country. There
is no enforceable law when people are starving.
Colder air would be another result, and clothing
would necessarily be heavier with jackets, gloves,
etc… The main point here isn’t a Yellowstone
volcano eruption. The point is that the more we
prepare for global cooling or the non-existent global
warming, the better we can collectively meet
threats.”
Fortunately, this worst case scenario should not
have anyone losing sleep over the matter. As of the
beginning of September, the USGS has declared the
Yellowstone volcano alert level as “normal,” and
the seismic activity in the area continues to be high
volume but relatively low in magnitude.
1.
Would you consider Inquisitr.com a reliable source for this information? Provide specific evidence for
your opinion.
2.
Based on the on the context in which it is used in the article, what do you think the word prepper
means?
3.
What other environmental issue is creating people to worry about the Yellowstone Supervolcano?
Explain how these two issues are related.
4.
What are the odds that the Yellowstone volcano will erupt?
5.
What similarities to our novel would there be in the consequences of the eruption of the Yellowstone
supervolcano?
Notes on my thoughts, reactions and questions as I read:
6. Describe the illustration provided in the article. What does the image depict, and how does this image
enhance the text? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using images alongside text?