Comprehension Passage with question 11

 Reading comprehension with question 

Scientists have finally figured out what caused the mysterious craters in Siberia. Surprisingly, these massive pits in the ground are also a result of climate change.

The first of these craters was found in 2014 in Siberia’s Yamal Peninsula. Several more of them were found in the following years. Geologists concluded that they were the result of some kind of explosions.

These craters in Siberia are quite large, with some of them measuring as deep as 165 feet (50 metres). The cause of the explosion was not clear yet. 

After scientists detected high levels of methane in the regions, they theorised that the combustible gas was being released because of the rise in the average temperature. Notably, the Siberian permafrost is hiding large amounts of methane. However, later studies found that permafrost alone could not have caused such blasts.

A team of chemical engineers has now published its findings in Geophysical Research Letters, saying that rapid underground pressure changes caused the explosions.

"There are very, very specific conditions that allow for this phenomenon to happen," Ana Morgado, a chemical engineer at the University of Cambridge who worked on the study, said in a press release. “We’re talking about a very niche geological space.”

The team examined the composition of the ground in and around the craters. Chemical reactions were ruled out as the reason and they believed that there had to be a physical source for them which they found beneath the permafrost that sits under the topsoil. 

While the latter thaws and refreezes, the former remains permanently frozen. Under permafrost lies cryopegs, a geologic layer comprising salt that doesn’t freeze.

In the Yamal Peninsula, cryopegs are about three feet thick and located as deep as 165 feet underground. Under this layer hides another layer filled with crystalised methane.

These layers have existed in this state for several years. However, the warming climate is now changing their equation, something that has been happening since the 1980s.

Scientists found the water in the topsoil had become meltier and trickled deeper below, reaching the cryopegs. This caused a buildup and increased the pressure in cryopegs. 

This created cracks on the surface, causing the pressure to drop quickly. The gas is then forcefully released from the ground, creating an explosion and the mystery craters. 

Comprehension Questions with Multiple Choice Answers

 

1. What was the initial theory about the cause of the Siberian craters?

   • A. Volcanic activity
   • B. Meteorite impacts
   • C. Underground explosions
   • D. Permafrost melting

2. What was the key factor that scientists discovered led to the explosions?

   • A. High levels of methane
   • B. Rapid underground pressure changes
   • C. Chemical reactions
   • D. Seismic activity

3. What geological layer plays a crucial role in the formation of the craters?

   • A. Cryopegs
   • B. Permafrost
   • C. Topsoil
   • D. Bedrock

4. How does climate change contribute to the formation of these craters?

   • A. By causing volcanic eruptions
   • B. By increasing seismic activity
   • C. By melting permafrost and affecting underground pressure
   • D. By altering the Earth's rotation

5. What is the primary source of the explosive gas that causes the craters?

   • A. Methane trapped in permafrost
   • B. Carbon dioxide released from the Earth's core
   • C. Hydrogen gas produced by chemical reactions
   • D. Helium gas trapped in underground reservoirs

6. What is the significance of the cryopegs in this process?

   • A. They act as a barrier, preventing the release of gases.
   • B. They create pressure build-up that leads to explosions.
   • C. They are the primary source of the methane gas.
   • D. They are unaffected by climate change.

7. How did scientists rule out chemical reactions as the cause of the explosions?

   • A. By analyzing the composition of the ground
   • B. By studying seismic data
   • C. By measuring the temperature of the craters
   • D. By observing the behavior of local wildlife

8. What is the main consequence of the warming climate in relation to these craters?

   • A. Increased frequency of explosions
   • B. Decreased size of the craters
   • C. Formation of new craters in different regions
   • D. No significant impact

9. Why are these craters considered a concern for scientists?

   • A. They pose a threat to human life and property.
   • B. They may release harmful gases into the atmosphere.
   • C. They could indicate a larger environmental problem.
   • D. All of the above

10. What is the most likely future scenario for the formation of these craters?

• A. A decrease in frequency due to global cooling
• B. An increase in frequency as the climate continues to warm
• C. No change in frequency
• D. The complete disappearance of these craters

   11.What is the primary reason scientists believe these craters are a concern for the environment?

• A. They release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
• B. They contribute to global warming.
• C. They may lead to mass extinctions.
• D. They could destabilize the Earth's crust.
12. How might the formation of these craters affect local ecosystems?
• A. By causing habitat destruction
• B. By disrupting food chains
• C. By polluting water sources
• D. All of the above
13. What is the most likely long-term impact of these craters on human activities in the region?
• A. Increased economic development
• B. Forced migration
• C. Improved infrastructure
• D. No significant impact
14. What role does the permafrost play in the stability of the Siberian landscape?
• A. It acts as a natural barrier against erosion.
• B. It supports plant life and wildlife.
• C. It helps regulate local temperatures.
• D. All of the above
15. How might the melting of permafrost affect other regions of the world?
• A. By contributing to sea level rise
• B. By altering global weather patterns
• C. By causing mass migrations
• D. All of the above
16. What is the best way to prevent the formation of more of these craters?
• A. Drilling into the ground to release trapped gases
• B. Building protective barriers around potential crater sites
• C. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change
• D. There is no way to prevent their formation
17. What is the significance of the Siberian craters for understanding the Earth's climate system?
• A. They demonstrate the interconnectedness of natural processes.
• B. They provide evidence of past climate changes.
• C. They highlight the vulnerability of the planet to human activities.
• D. All of the above
18. How can scientists use the study of these craters to inform future climate change policies?
• A. By developing new technologies to mitigate climate change
• B. By identifying vulnerable regions and preparing for future impacts
• C. By raising public awareness about the consequences of climate change
• D. All of the above
19. What is the most important lesson we can learn from the Siberian craters?
• A. The Earth is a fragile planet that needs protection.
• B. Human activities can have unintended consequences.
• C. Climate change is a serious threat that must be addressed.
• D. All of the above
20. How can individuals contribute to the effort to prevent the formation of more Siberian craters?
• A. By reducing their carbon footprint
• B. By supporting sustainable practices
• C. By raising awareness about climate change
• D. All of the above
  
  Answer: -
  

  1. What was the initial theory about the cause of the Siberian craters?

  • C. Underground explosions

  2. What was the key factor that scientists discovered led to the explosions?

  • B. Rapid underground pressure changes

  3. What geological layer plays a crucial role in the formation of the craters?

  • A. Cryopegs

  4. How does climate change contribute to the formation of these craters?

  • C. By melting permafrost and affecting underground pressure

  5. What is the primary source of the explosive gas that causes the craters?

  • A. Methane trapped in permafrost

  6. What is the significance of the cryopegs in this process?

  • B. They create pressure build-up that leads to explosions.

  7. How did scientists rule out chemical reactions as the cause of the explosions?

  • A. By analyzing the composition of the ground

  8. What is the main consequence of the warming climate in relation to these craters?

  • A. Increased frequency of explosions

  9. Why are these craters considered a concern for scientists?

  • D. All of the above

  10. What is the most likely future scenario for the formation of these craters?

  • B. An increase in frequency as the climate continues to warm

  11. What is the primary reason scientists believe these craters are a concern for the environment?

  • A. They release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

  12. How might the formation of these craters affect local ecosystems?

  • D. All of the above

  13. What is the most likely long-term impact of these craters on human activities in the region?

  • B. Forced migration

  14. What role does the permafrost play in the stability of the Siberian landscape?

  • D. All of the above

  15. How might the melting of permafrost affect other regions of the world?

  • D. All of the above

  16. What is the best way to prevent the formation of more of these craters?

  • C. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change

  17. What is the significance of the Siberian craters for understanding the Earth's climate system?

  • D. All of the above

  18. How can scientists use the study of these craters to inform future climate change policies?

  • D. All of the above

  19. What is the most important lesson we can learn from the Siberian craters?

  • D. All of the above

  20. How can individuals contribute to the effort to prevent the formation of more Siberian craters?

  • D. All of the above