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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Cooling the Lava.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Thorbjorn Sigurgeirsson decides to try to stop the chunk of mountain moving towards Heimaey's town and harbor by:
(a) Blowing up the mountain with a thousand sticks of dynamite.
(b) Ordering a plane to drop a bomb on the mountain.
(c) Blocking the mountain with a natural barrier of cooled lava.
(d) Pumping seawater directly onto the mountain.

2. During high spring waters, what danger forms unseen beneath turbulent waters at the outflow to the Atchafalaya?
(a) A crack in a gate of the control structure.
(b) Treacherous new rip currents.
(c) The partial collapse of one of the pylons.
(d) An enormous hole larger and deeper than a football stadium.

3. In New Orleans' earliest days, French settlers begin to live there despite the fact that the area:
(a) Has practically no solid ground.
(b) Is full of poisonous snakes.
(c) Belongs to Spain.
(d) Is plagued by giant storms on a weekly basis.

4. Norris F. Rabalais was born and raised in what Louisiana parish?
(a) Avoyelles.
(b) West Feliciana.
(c) Evangeline.
(d) Concordia.

5. In 1973, the eruptions in Heimaey begin on January 23 and continue vigorously before diminishing in strength through when?
(a) February 25th.
(b) March 1st.
(c) January 30th.
(d) February 5th.

Short Answer Questions

1. What childhood fear does Magnus Magnusson share with the author?

2. Initially, Rabalais is hired as a construction inspector to watch for what at the navigation lock?

3. In feet, how long is the towboat Mississippi?

4. Over two centuries of recorded history, Mauna Loa erupts how often on average?

5. For how many years after the Old River Control begins does the operation appear to be successful?

(see the answer key)

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