1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson discusses the sudden formation of a new island in Alaska’s Alasec Lake, which was caused by the retreat of the Alasec Glacier over several decades. The article examines this event as an example of the thinning and retreat of glaciers in southeastern Alaska.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 섬 | seom | island | NASA’s satellite images show that a new island has formed in the middle of Alaska’s Alasec Lake. |
| 빙하 | binghwa | glacier | The large island of Pro Nob in Alaska was once covered in ice, but as the Alasec Glacier has retreated over decades, the island has become isolated in the lake. |
| 후퇴하다 | huchoeha-da | to retreat | As the Alasec Glacier has retreated over the past several decades, the island of Pro Nob has become separated from the mainland. |
| 분리되다 | bunrideul-da | to become separated | Satellite images show that Pro Nob has become completely separated from the Alasec Glacier between July 13 and August 6. |
| 얇아지다 | yalnaejida | to become thin | Pro Nob is a representative example of how glaciers in southeastern Alaska are thinning and retreating. |
| 대표적인 | daepyojeogin | representative, typical | Pro Nob is a representative example of how glaciers in southeastern Alaska are thinning and retreating. |
| 고립되다 | goripdeul-da | to become isolated | As the Alasec Glacier has retreated, the island of Pro Nob has become isolated in the lake. |
| 확인되다 | hwakjindoel-da | to be confirmed | According to the Landsat 9 satellite images, it has been confirmed that Pro Nob is now completely separated from the Alasec Glacier. |
| 촬영하다 | chwalyeonghada | to photograph, to take photos | NASA’s Earth Observation satellite took the images showing the new island that formed in Alasec Lake. |
| 위성 사진 | wisung sajin | satellite image | According to the satellite images taken by Landsat 9, Pro Nob became completely separated from the Alasec Glacier between July 13 and August 6. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
NASA의 지구관측소가 촬영한 위성 사진에 따르면, 알래스카 남동부 알섹 호수 한가운데에 새로운 섬이 형성됐다. 이 섬은 원래 알래스카의 프로 놉이라는 큰 섬이었다. 그러나 수십 년 동안 알섹 빙하가 점점 후퇴하면서 호수 속에 고립된 섬으로 분리됐다.
According to satellite images taken by NASA’s Earth Observation satellite, a new island has formed in the middle of Alaska’s Alasec Lake. This island was originally the large island of Pro Nob in Alaska. However, as the Alasec Glacier has gradually retreated over decades, the island has become isolated and separated in the lake.
랜드샛 9호가 촬영한 위성 사진에 따르면, 프로 놉은 지난 7월 13일과 8월 6일 사이에 알섹 빙하와의 연결이 완전히 끊겼다. 이는 알래스카 남동부 지역의 빙하가 점점 얇아지고 후퇴하는 과정을 보여주는 대표적인 사례라고 해당 매체는 전했다.
According to the Landsat 9 satellite images, Pro Nob became completely separated from the Alasec Glacier between July 13 and August 6. The media report states that this is a representative example of how glaciers in southeastern Alaska are thinning and retreating.
1984년 7월 5일과 2025년 8월 6일 촬영된 사진을 비교해 보면, 프로 놉이 알섹 빙하에서 분리되어 완전한 섬이 된 모습을 확인할 수 있다. 이는 수십 년 동안 지속된 알섹 빙하의 후퇴 과정을 보여준다.
Comparing photos taken on July 5, 1984 and August 6, 2025, it can be confirmed that Pro Nob has become a complete island, separated from the Alasec Glacier. This shows the process of the Alasec Glacier’s retreat over several decades.
이번 사례는 지구 온난화로 인한 빙하 후퇴 현상을 잘 보여주는 사례라고 할 수 있다. 알래스카의 프로 놉이 호수 속 섬으로 분리된 것은 기후 변화에 따른 빙하 감소의 대표적인 결과라고 할 수 있다.
This case can be seen as a good example of glacier retreat due to global warming. The separation of Pro Nob in Alaska into an island in the lake is a representative result of glacier reduction due to climate change.
NASA 지구관측소는 이번 사례를 통해 알래스카 지역의 빙하 후퇴 현상을 지속적으로 모니터링하고 있다. 이를 통해 기후 변화의 영향을 분석하고 대책을 마련하는 데 활용할 계획이다.
NASA’s Earth Observation satellite is continuously monitoring the glacier retreat phenomenon in the Alaska region through this case. They plan to use this data to analyze the impacts of climate change and establish countermeasures.
프로 놉이 알섹 호수 속 섬으로 분리된 것은 알래스카 지역 빙하 감소의 대표적인 사례라고 할 수 있다. 이번 사례를 통해 기후 변화에 따른 빙하 후퇴 현상을 확인할 수 있었다.
The separation of Pro Nob into an island in Alasec Lake can be seen as a representative case of glacier reduction in the Alaska region. Through this case, the phenomenon of glacier retreat due to climate change could be confirmed.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What caused the formation of a new island in Alaska’s Alasec Lake?
- What was the original name of the island that became separated?
- How long did the process of the Alasec Glacier’s retreat take?
- What does the separation of Pro Nob represent in terms of climate change and glacier retreat?
- How is NASA using this case to monitor and analyze the impacts of climate change in Alaska?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The formation of a new island in Alasec Lake due to glacier retreat is a tangible example of the effects of climate change in Alaska. As a northern state with a significant glacial landscape, Alaska has been heavily impacted by global warming, which has led to the thinning and retreat of its glaciers over recent decades. The separation of Pro Nob island serves as a visible marker of these changes, providing important data for NASA and climate researchers to monitor and study the ongoing impacts of climate change in the region.