黃石國家公園

河南濮陽縣第三中學 井孟晨

Jntroduction

黃石國家公園建立于1872年，是世界上第一個國家公園，也是美國國家公園里景觀組合最豐富的國家公園，公園內有雪山、森林、峽谷、湖泊、河流，而最特別的景觀就是地熱，比如那五顏六色的大棱鏡溫泉正是黃石國家公園的標志及象征，因此它被譽為“地球最美麗的表面”。

Yellowstone National Park became America's first national park in 1872.The National Park Service was formed 44 years later in 1916.Yellowstone,which is mostly in the state of Wyoming,is considered an example of the success of the National Park System.

Humans have been present in Yellowstone for more than 11,000 years.The first organizedexplorationof the area which lies close to thecontinentaldivide of North America took place in 1870.Those first organized explorers must have seen right away how special the land was.Yellowstone contains beautiful mountains,deep canyons（峽谷）,lakes and rivers.

The name Yellowstone comes from the river running through the area.At first known as Rock Yellow River,it became known as the Yellowstone River later.Yellowstone is home to many different species of plants.However,the park is most special because of what liesunderneathit.It sits on top of an ancient super volcano,known as the Yellowstone Caldera.The caldera is 48 by72kilometers.Anditremainsanactivevolcano.

It is believed that the last time the volcano exploded or erupted was one half million years ago.The area has had three majoreruptionsin the last three million years.Experts say it may erupt again in another 1,000 to 10,000 years.But each year,there are thousands of earthquakes at Yellowstone.Most are too small to be felt by people visiting the park.

Yellowstone is filled with the beauty of many thermal（溫熱的）or hot water springs.Of all thegeothermalplaces in the world,half are in Yellowstone.In places of geothermal activity,hot water and gasses are trapped under the earth's crust（地殼）.In places like Yellowstone,they rush to the surface in the form of hot water and steam to form geysers（間歇泉）.

In addition to its beauty and wonder,Yellowstone is an animal sanctuary（保護區）.It is home to the largest group of wild animals in the lower 48 United States.As you travel through the park,you can sometimes see them in their naturalhabitatand hear their calls to mate and defend themselves.

Reading Check

Fill in the blanks with one word or the words given.

The name Yellowstone comes from the river 1___________._（run） through the area.At first 2__________._（know） as Rock Yellow River,it became famous as the Yellowstone River later.Yellowstone is home to many 3.___________（difference） species of plants.However,the park is most special because of 4.__________lies underneath it.It sits on top of an ancient super volcano,known as the Yellowstone Caldera.The caldera is 48 by 72 kilometers.And it 5. （remain） an active volcano.

Language Study

Vocabulary

1.explorationn.探險

2.continentaladj.大陸的

3.underneathprep.在下面

4.eruptionn.噴發

5.geothermaladj.地熱的

6.habitatn.棲息地

Sentence for writing

It is believed that...人們相信/據信……

據信，火山最后一次爆發或噴發是在50萬年前。

________________________the last time the volcano exploded or erupted was one half million years ago.