(Reuters) - Nicaragua's Telica volcano sends a huge plume of gas and ash spewing into the sky. The kilometer-high peak, which is one of the country's most active volcanoes, also triggered a series of small earthquakes last week.

With volcanic ash falling on agricultural fields and nearby houses, authorities say they're considering evacuating over 3,000 families.

One resident is concerned: "We know they are natural phenomena. But what possibilities would we have to receive a warning so that we are able to get out before we are dragged away? They tell us the Santa Clara hill is also showing signs of problems."

Since May 9 the seismological institute has recorded 59 seismic shocks in the area.


1. spew /spjuː/ (v) (~ out) to flow out quickly, or to make something flow out quickly, in large amounts: phun ra

• The volcano spewed molten lave. Núi lửa phun dung nham nóng chảy.

• to spew radiation after blast: phát ra phóng ra sau vụ nỗ

     Usage notes: to spew out = to belch

• belch /beltʃ/ (v) to send out large amounts of smoke, flames, etc; to come out of something in large amounts: phun ra, ợ

• to belch out smoke and ashes: phun khói và tro

2. active /ˈæktɪv/ (adj) doing something regularly; functioning: (núi lửa) hoạt động

     Usage notes: active ≠ dormant / inactive

• dormant /ˈdɔːrmənt/ (adj) not active or growing now but able to become active or to grow in the future: tạm thời không hoạt động, trạng thái nằm im,

• a dormant volcano: một núi lửa đang nằm im

• to lie dormant: nằm im

• Many plants lie dormant throughout the winter. Nhiều cây ngủ qua suốt mùa đông.

3. drag /dræɡ/ (v) o pull somebody/something in a particular direction or behind you, usually along the ground, and especially with effort: kéo lê, đẩy sang một phía

     Usage notes: to drag = to buffet

• buffet /ˈbʌfɪt/ (v) to knock or push somebody/something roughly from side to side: đánh / đẩy ai hoặc cái gì sang một bên, tro bụi vùi dập (nghĩa trong bài)

• flowers buffeted by rain and wind: gió mưa vùi dập những bông hoa

• a boat buffeted by waves: con thuyền bị sóng vùi dập

• to be buffeted by misfortune: bị số phận hẩm hiu vùi dập

4. seismological /ˌsaɪzməˈlɒdʒɪkl/ (adj) referring to the scientific study of earthquakes: thuộc lĩnh vực nghiên cứu địa chấn, động đất

• the National Seismological Institute: Viện Nghiên cứu Địa chấn Quốc gia

     Usage notes:

• seismis: (n) địa chấn

• seismology: (n) địa chấn học

• seismisgraph: (n) máy ghi địa chấn