1.) You might think that staying safe during the eruption of a volcano is just a matter of hiding under a table and hoping your house doesn't catch on fire. Nothing could be further from the truth. Surviving a volcanic eruption is a matter of understanding how volcanoes most commonly affect people, being prepared, and following some easy guidelines.
2.) Volcanic activity may be scary, but it is the result of simple and very natural geological processes. Volcanoes are holes in the Earth's crust where substances from beneath the surface, such as hot gases and molten rock, can escape. "You can think of a volcano as a paper cut or a pimple on the Earth," says volcanologist Roberta Alvarez. "They're usually not a big deal on the scale of the whole planet, but they're a big deal to us." Sometimes these eruptions can be small and ongoing, such as the Mt. Kilauea eruption in Hawaii that has been occurring since 1983. Other times, as was the case with Mt. St. Helens in Oregon, the eruptions are abrupt and violent. When the lava and ash emitted from a volcano cool and harden, they gradually form mountains.
3.) If you're wondering whether or not you live near one of these mountains, you're in luck. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) keeps track of active volcanoes all around the Ring of Fire, which is the area of high volcanic activity that forms the border of the Pacific Ocean. Some of the most worrisome volcanoes in the United States are Mt. Kilauea in Hawaii and Mt. Shishaldin in Alaska. The USGS records many other at-risk locations as well, so you can find out how risky your location is with just a little research.
4.) If you're one of the people who lives near a volcano, you should be aware of several dangers that these forces of nature present. The most dramatic danger is molten lava that flows down the sides of the mountains. "Although lava moves slowly enough for most people to escape from it on foot," says Alvarez, "it's a precursor to a much more dangerous threat: wildfires." Volcanoes also tend to spew huge amounts of ash into the atmosphere, which can affect areas hundreds of miles away from the eruption and can make breathing difficult for babies and people with lung problems, according to the National Asthma Society (NAS). The ash can also be so thick that it buries houses.
5.) If you live near an active volcano, your best chance of surviving an eruption is to be prepared. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, recommends that families maintain an emergency supply kit with first aid and day-to-day essentials. Families should also create a plan to gather in an agreed-upon location if phone or Internet service is down. Once you account for everyone in your family, follow the designated evacuation route to get away from the volcano quickly and carefully.
6.) In other words, stay calm and be prepared. Advice that would be suited to practically any disaster will help you weather a volcanic eruption as well. All you need is a little understanding, a little planning, and a little patience, and you should come out all right.
Which statement best explains how paragraph 1 makes the essay clearer?
