Earth and Space Sciences Regents, June 2026, question 4
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What the figure shows
The passage says lava flows are hard to manage because of the intense heat and fluid dynamics of lava, and that the methods in the table all require equipment. The table Possible Lava Flow Solutions lists four solutions with a description and constraints. A, Lava diversion: construct channels to redirect lava; costly, time-consuming, lava may breach, redirects flows instead of stopping them. B, Seawater cooling: use pumps to draw seawater to spray lava to cool and harden; needs a constant water supply, demand for energy to run multiple costly pumps. C, Lava flow barrier: build earthen barriers to dam the lava and stop its flow; needs machinery or equipment to build the barrier, lava could breach the barrier. D, Explosions: detonate explosives to disrupt the lava flow and redirect its path; could cause further damage and loss of life, not precise, and lava returns to its original path.
How to think about it
Read the stem for its two goals: the solution must protect the community, and it must be judged against constraints such as cost and equipment. For each row, read what the description says happens to the lava, then read every constraint listed beside it.
Which proposed solution would best protect an Icelandic community from a lava flow when considering constraints such as costs and equipment?