What Is a Volcano Island? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage

Use this A2-B1 ESL science reading passage to learn what a volcano island is. It includes key vocabulary, reading comprehension questions, and answers for English learners.

A volcano island can form when lava builds up from the ocean floor.

Reading Level

A2-B1

Word Count

234 words

Reading Passage

A volcano island is an island made by volcanic activity. It often begins deep under the ocean.

Under the ocean, a volcano may erupt. Hot melted rock, called lava, comes out of the volcano. When lava touches cold ocean water, it cools and becomes hard rock.

One eruption may not make an island. But if the volcano erupts many times, more lava piles up. Layer after layer of rock can build a mountain under the sea.

After a long time, the top of the volcanic mountain may rise above the water. Then it becomes a new island. Some famous islands in the world began this way.

A volcano island may look rocky at first. There may be little soil and few plants. Over time, wind, rain, birds, and waves can bring seeds and small pieces of soil. Plants may begin to grow.

Animals may arrive later. Birds can fly to the island. Insects may come on floating wood or plants.

A volcano island shows how Earth can build new land. It begins with hot lava under the ocean and can slowly become a home for plants, animals, and people.

Layers of cooled lava can build an island above the ocean surface.

Key Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Example
volcano	an opening in Earth where hot rock can come out	The volcano erupted under the sea.
island	land with water all around it	The island rose above the ocean.
lava	hot melted rock that comes out of a volcano	Lava cooled into hard rock.
ocean	a large body of salt water	The volcano began under the ocean.
erupt	to send out lava, ash, or gas	A volcano can erupt many times.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. Where can a volcano island begin?
2. What is lava?
3. What happens when lava touches cold ocean water?
4. How can layers of lava make an island?
5. How may plants arrive on a new volcano island?

Answers

1. It can begin deep under the ocean.
2. Lava is hot melted rock that comes out of a volcano.
3. It cools and becomes hard rock.
4. Many eruptions pile up layers of rock until land rises above water.
5. Wind, rain, birds, and waves can bring seeds and soil.

Short Summary

A volcano island forms when lava from an underwater volcano cools and builds up. Over time, the volcanic mountain can rise above the ocean.

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