and Tsunamis
美音、自然拼读、分级阅读与词汇复习
Table of Contents Introduction.
导言表。
4 Deep Within the Earth.
4"地心深处".
5 Earthquakes: Terrible Trembling.
页:1 地震:可怕的惊恐.
7 The Richter Scale.
7 里希特规模。
10 Volcanoes: Enormous Explosions.
10 火山:激起的爆炸.
12 Tsunamis: Wild Waves.
12海啸:狂浪.
18 Conclusion.
18 结论。
23 Glossary.
23 词汇表。
24 Introduction We usually think of the ground and the ocean as stable and peaceful things.
导言 我们通常认为地上和海洋是稳定而和平的东西.
The ground lies quietly beneath our feet, and the ocean laps gently against the shore.
地面静静地位于我们的脚下,而海洋轻轻地对岸行走.
But forces deep within the Earth can suddenly be unleashed, destroying that peacefulness.
但地球深处的势力 可能会突然释放出来 破坏和平
These forces cause the violent shakings of earthquakes; the explosions of ash, gases, and hot rocks of volcanoes; and the huge waves of tsunamis (tsoo-NOM-ees).
这些力量造成地震的剧烈震动;火山的灰烬,气体和热石的爆炸;以及海啸的巨大波浪(tsoo-NOM-ees).
In this book, you will read about these amazing events and the underlying forces that cause them.
在这本书中,你会读到这些令人惊叹的事件 以及导致这些事件的内在力量。
Smoke rises from what seems to be a peaceful volcano.
烟从看起来和平的火山升起。
Deep Within the Earth Beneath the soil, rock, and water on the surface of our planet, the Earth is constantly changing.
地球深处的土壤、岩石和水 在地球表面,地球在不断变化
The top layer of Earth is made of giant pieces of rock, like the pieces of a puzzle.
地上地层由巨大的岩石块所组成,就像一个谜题的碎片.
These giant pieces of rock, called tectonic plates, make up the continents and ocean floors.
这些巨大的岩石被称作构造板块,组成了大陆和洋底.
There are fourteen major tectonic plates and many smaller plates that make up the outermost layer of the Earth’s crust.
共有14个主要地壳板块和许多较小地块构成地壳最外层。
These plates are around 100 km (60 mi) thick.
这些板块有约100公里(60米)厚.
Where the edges of the plates come together, there are often cracks and gaps, called faults.
板块边缘相接的地方,往往有裂缝和缺口,称为断层.
Most of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic activity occur near the faults along the edges of the tectonic plates.
世界上大多数地震和火山活动都发生在地壳板块边缘的断层附近.
Underneath the plates, the Earth is very hot, with normal temperatures of 700°C to 1300°C (1,292°F to 2,372°F).
在板块下方,地球非常热,正常温度为700°C至1300°C(1,292°F至2,372°F).
It is so hot that rock melts into liquid magma.
热得要溶入液体岩浆
The plates float on top of the underlying magma.
板块漂浮在下层岩浆上方.
The magma is always moving, and as it moves it carries the plates around with it.
岩浆总是在移动,随着它的移动,它带着板子环绕.
Tectonic plates normally move at speeds of 0.
特克通克板平时以0.
65 to 8.
65到8号.
50 centimeters (0.
50厘米(0.
25 to 3.
25对3
35 in) per year.
每年35个。
At the edges of the moving plates, three different things can happen.
在移动板块的边缘,可以发生三种不同的事.
If the plates are moving against each other, one plate slides over or under the other plate (Fig.
如果板块相向相向,一个板块会滑过或倒入另一个板块下(图.
If the plates are moving past each other, the edges of the plates grind together (Fig.
如果板块相向而行,板块的边缘会一起磨磨(Fig.
And if the plates are moving apart, they make a gap where magma seeps out (Fig.
如果板块相去甚远,它们就会在岩浆渗出的地方形成缺口(Fig.
The dotted lines show the edges of the tectonic plates.
被点的线条显示出构造板块的边缘.
Earthquakes: Terrible Trembling The edges of the tectonic plates usually move very slowly.
地震: 可怕的颤抖 构造板块的边缘通常移动非常缓慢.
But sometimes large pieces of the plates get caught on each other.
但有时大块的板块会互相被抓住.
The plates keep trying to move, but these large blocks of rock hold them back.
板块一直试图移动,但这些大块的岩石挡住它们.
The pressure and energy build up.
压力和能量逐渐增强
Then, suddenly, the rocks give way, releasing all that pressure and energy.
然后,岩石突然让位,释放出所有的压力和能量。
The plates jerk forward, and the ground shakes.
板子往前推 地上摇动
Far above, people feel an earthquake.
远地上,人们感受到地震.
Some earthquakes are small and harmless.
有些地震规模小,无害.
In a small earthquake, the ground shakes a little, causing some hanging objects to swing.
在一次小地震中,地表稍有起伏,使一些被吊起的物体摇摆.
Tree branches sway, as if there were a gentle breeze.
树枝相摇,似有温柔之微风.
Some earthquakes are so small that we do not even notice them.
有些地震是如此之小,以至于我们甚至没有注意到它们。
Small earthquakes happen very often in certain parts of the world like California and Alaska in the United States, as well as in other countries like Chile, Greece, and Japan.
小地震经常发生在美国的加利福尼亚和阿拉斯加等世界某些地区,以及智利,希腊和日本等其他国家.
But sometimes the shaking is so strong that buildings crumble, bridges collapse, and large cracks open in the ground.
但有时震动非常强烈,以至于建筑物倒塌,桥梁倒塌,地上还开有大裂缝.
The ground here was ripped open by an earthquake.
这里的地被地震撕开
Earthquakes can damage or even destroy buildings.
地震会破坏甚至摧毁建筑物.
We measure the strength of earthquakes on an instrument called a seismograph (SIZE-moh- graf).
我们用一种叫做地震仪(SIZE-moh-graf)的仪器测量地震强度.
Each earthquake is given a number from the Richter (RICK-ter) scale, depending on its strength.
每次地震都根据强度从里克特(RICK-ter)规模给出了数字.
You can look at the chart on the next page to learn what the different strengths of earthquakes feel like.
你可以在下页查看图表,了解地震的不同长处。
For each number on the Richter scale, an earthquake is ten times as strong as the previous number.
对于里氏规模的每个数字,一次地震的强度是上个数字的十倍.
A 6.
6个
0 earthquake is ten times as strong as a 5.
0地震强度为5级的10倍.
0 earthquake.
0级地震.
It is one hundred times as strong as a 4.
它比4强一百倍
0 earthquake!
0个地震!
The largest earthquake ever recorded measured 9.
有记录以来最大的地震 9. 国家
5 on the Richter scale.
5个里氏度
It occurred on the coast of Chile in South America.
它发生在南美洲的智利海岸.
Scientists are still learning about these dangerous events.
科学家仍在了解这些危险事件.
One day, they may be able to warn people before earthquakes occur.
有一天,他们可能能够在地震发生前警告人们.
A seismograph The Richter Scale 1 People cannot feel the earthquake—only sensitive instruments can detect it.
地震仪 Richter Class 1 人们无法感觉到地震,
in tall buildings may sense a slight swaying.
在高高的建筑物里 可能会有轻微的摇晃
notice the shaking.
注意摇动。
No damage occurs.
没有发生损害。
be damaged.
损坏。
to weak buildings at and around center.
中心周围的薄弱建筑。
Some damage to strong buildings.
强力建筑受损.
spread over 160 kilometers (100 mi).
分布于160公里(100米)以上.
landslides can occur.
山体滑坡可能发生.
appear in the ground.
出现在地上。
Large landslides.
大规模山体滑坡.
9 The ground appears to move in “waves.”
页:1 地面似乎在“波浪中移动。 “
Entire rivers may move.
整个河流可能移动。
Objects can be thrown into the air.
物体可以被抛入空中.
Total destruction of buildings and other structures.
建筑物和其他结构被彻底摧毁。
There is no top to the Richter scale, but the strongest earthquake ever recorded was a 9.
里克特的规模没有最高,但有史以来记录到的最强地震是9起.
A major earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area of California on October 17, 1989.
1989年10月17日加利福尼亚州旧金山湾区发生大地震.
Known as the Loma Prieta Earthquake, it measured 6.
它被称为"洛玛普里塔"地震,测量了6个.
9 to 7.
9对7.
1 magnitude on the Richter scale.
里氏1级.
Although the earthquake lasted only fifteen seconds, it killed more than sixty people and injured several thousand more.
虽然这次地震仅持续了15秒,但造成60多人死亡,数千多人受伤.
The earthquake also caused an estimated $6 billion in damage to buildings, roads, bridges, and other property.
地震还造成建筑物,道路,桥梁等财产估计损失60亿美元.
This was the largest earthquake to occur on the San Andreas Fault in California since 1906, when an even more powerful earthquake and the fires that followed it destroyed much of the city of San Francisco.
这是自1906年以来加利福尼亚州圣安德烈亚斯断层上发生的最大规模的地震,当时一场更强烈的地震以及之后发生的大火摧毁了旧金山市的大部分.
Volcanoes: Enormous Explosions A volcano occurs wherever magma from deep inside the Earth comes out through a crack in the surface.
火山:极地爆炸 火山从地底深处的岩浆 从地表的裂缝中涌出
Volcanoes usually happen near the edges of the tectonic plates, where there are many cracks and thin spots where the magma can leak out.
火山通常会发生在构造板块边缘附近,这里有许多裂缝和薄斑,岩浆可以漏出.
When the magma pours onto the surface, it hardens, often piling up into a mountain.
岩浆倒入地表时会硬化,常被堆入山中.
Sometimes, the liquid rock flows peacefully out across the land.
有时,液态岩石会和平地流出陆地.
Many volcanoes on the Hawaiian Islands act like this.
夏威夷群岛上的许多火山都这样
Runny liquid rock on this Hawaiian volcano flows smoothly, like a peaceful river.
夏威夷火山上流淌的液体岩石流畅而平稳,就像平和的河流.
An earthquake destroyed this building.
地震摧毁了这座建筑。
But sometimes, in very powerful volcanoes, the hot magma cools before it gets to the surface.
但有时,在非常强大的火山中,热岩浆在到达地表之前会冷却.
It hardens into a solid piece of rock, plugging up the crack or hole where it had been seeping out.
它坚硬地扎入一块坚固的岩石 堵上裂缝或被挖出洞口
It acts like a plug in a bottle.
它就像瓶子里的插头
The magma continues to push upward.
岩浆继续向上推进.
Hot gases in the magma press against the plug.
岩浆中的热气体压住塞口
The pressure gets greater and greater.
压力越来越大
Suddenly, the volcano explodes.
火山突然爆发
Huge chunks of rock burst from the volcano.
火山喷出一大笔石头
Entire Many dangerous and destructive things happen during volcanic eruptions.
火山喷发期间发生了许多危险和破坏性的事件。
When mountains explode, they send tons of rock rolling down their sides.
当山体爆炸时,它们会把数以吨计的岩石滚来滚去。
These falling rocks are called landslides.
这些倒塌的岩石被称为"塌方".
Landslides can bury whole cities.
山体滑坡可以将整个城市掩埋.
They can block rivers, causing floods.
它们能阻挡河流,引发洪水.
Clouds of ash and dust rise into the air during volcanic eruptions.
火山喷发时,灰尘云层会升入空气.
The ash falls to the ground like snow.
出灰倒地如雪.
The ash is so heavy that the roofs of houses can collapse under its weight.
灰起起起重来,房屋的屋顶会倒塌而下重.
An ash cloud can spread all around the world.
出一灰云能遍行相.
Large ash clouds can even block out sunlight.
大灰云甚至能挡住阳光
The temperature of the entire Earth can cool down after a large volcanic eruption.
整个地球的温度在大火山爆发后可以降温.
Some volcanoes become plugged (above), and then they explode violently (below).
有些火山被堵塞(上),然后剧烈地(下)爆炸.
Dust, ash, and gas Lava flow mountainsides can be ripped away.
尘埃,灰烬,和气体熔岩流出山地可以被撕去.
Hot, poisonous gas, ash, and melted rock shoot into the sky.
热,有毒气体,灰烬,并被熔化的岩石射入天空.
The volcano erupts with unbelievable power.
火山以不可思议的力量爆发
A volcano creates a gigantic ash cloud.
火山会产生巨大的灰云
A volcano can cause an explosion of extremely hot, poisonous gases.
火山可以引起极热有毒气体的爆炸.
The explosion can be so powerful that it knocks over entire forests, and so hot that it starts destructive fires.
爆炸的威力非常大 足以击倒整个森林 并且非常热 足以引发毁灭性的火灾
Some large volcanoes have snow and ice on top.
一些大火山上方有雪和冰.
The hot gases melt all the snow and ice at once, and the water rushes down the mountain.
热气一时融出一切雪冰相出相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相去相
This large, dirt-filled flood is called a mudslide.
这种被泥土填充的大洪水被称为"泥地".
A mudslide is like a liquid landslide.
泥石流就如同液态地崩.
Scientists are not yet able to predict when earthquakes will happen.
科学家尚无法预测地震何时会发生.
But fortunately they have gotten very good at predicting when a large volcano is about to erupt.
但幸运的是,它们已经非常擅长预测 大火山何时会爆发。
In 1991, scientists warned the people living around a volcano in the country of the Philippines that the volcano was about to erupt.
1991年,科学家警告菲律宾国内一火山周围的居民,火山即将喷发.
Many people left the area and found safety before the huge volcano erupted.
许多人离开该地区,在大火山爆发前找到了安全.
Scientists gather information from a volcanic fissure.
科学家从火山裂缝中收集信息.
These trees were blown over by the explosion of a volcano.
这些树被火山爆炸所吹倒.
A very large volcano called Mount St.
一座叫"圣山"的非常大的火山.
Helens erupted in Washington State on May 18, 1980.
海伦斯于1980年5月18日在华盛顿州爆发.
Mount St.
圣多伦山
Helens is part of a chain of volcanic mountains in the Cascade Mountain Range that runs throughout the Pacific Northwest where the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate meets the North American plate.
海伦斯是卡斯卡德山脉山脉中一串火山山脉的一部分,该山脉横贯整个太平洋西北,胡安-德-富卡构造板块与北美板块相接.
The explosive power of the volcanic eruption completely destroyed the upper portions of the mountain and flattened all the trees in the forests for miles around.
火山爆发的爆炸力完全摧毁了山的上部,使森林中的所有树木平地数英里.
The resulting cloud of ash released into the atmosphere darkened the sky over a large part of the United States.
由此所释放出入大气层的灰云使美国大片地区的天空变暗.
The volcanic ash fell like snow for several hours in ten states following the eruption.
火山灰在喷发后在十个州中像雪一样倒下数小时.
The Mount St.
圣山号.
Helens eruption was the deadliest in U.
海伦斯喷发是U最致命的.
S.
师曰.
history, resulting in the deaths of fifty-seven people.
造成57人死亡
It also destroyed homes, bridges, railroads, and highways.
它还摧毁了住宅、桥梁、铁路和高速公路。
Tsunamis: Wild Waves Tsunamis are huge waves caused by earthquakes or volcanoes.
海啸:狂浪海啸是地震或火山所引发的巨浪.
They used to be called “tidal waves.”
它们曾被称作“潮汐波”。 “
But the word “tidal” means something to do with the ocean’s normal tides, and tsunamis have nothing to do with the tides.
但"潮"字的意思与海洋的正常潮汐有关,而海啸与潮汐无关.
Tsunamis can be as high as a football field is long.
海啸可以和足球场一样高.
They are the largest waves in the world.
他们是世界上最大的一波。
Mount St.
圣多伦山
Helens after it erupted Mount St.
海伦斯在火山爆发后
Helens, in Washington State, before it erupted in 1980 Tsunamis are the largest waves in the world.
在1980年爆发前的华盛顿州海伦斯是世界上最大的一波.
The edges of the plates, where earthquakes and volcanoes often occur, usually lie near the edges of the oceans.
板块的边缘经常会发生地震和火山,通常位于海洋边缘附近.
The shaking of an earthquake or the explosion of a volcano can cause large landslides.
地震的震动或火山的爆炸可造成大面积地崩.
Entire hills can collapse, and sometimes they fall into the sea and make huge waves.
整个山丘会倒塌,有时会倒入大海并产生出巨大的波浪.
Earthquakes and volcanoes can also be found under the sea.
地震和火山也可以在海底发现.
Underwater earthquakes cause the sea floor to move violently.
水下地震使海底发生剧烈移动.
Undersea volcanoes cause explosions under the water.
海底火山在水下引起爆炸.
Both of these events create huge waves that spread across the surface of the ocean.
这两起事件都产生出横行于海洋表面的巨大波浪.
Tsunamis speed outward away from their source in all directions.
海啸从源头向外蔓延
A tsunami can cross an entire ocean.
海啸可以穿越整个海洋
Tsunamis travel extremely fast—up to 320 kilometers per hour (200 mph).
海啸的移动速度非常快——高达每小时320公里(200 mph)。
In the open ocean, tsunamis may not be very high above the surface of the water, but they are very deep.
在开阔的海洋中,海啸在水面上可能并不高,但它们非常深.
As tsunamis approach land and move into shallow water, the elevated ocean floor pushes the wave upward.
随着海啸接近陆地并进入浅水中,上升的洋底将波浪推向上.
The wave slows to about 70 kilometers per hour (45 mph), but the ocean floor lifts it higher and higher.
海浪缓慢到每小时约70公里(45 mph),但洋底抬高了.
By the time a tsunami reaches land, it is tall enough to destroy almost anything in its path.
当海啸到达陆地时,它已经足够高了,几乎摧毁了它道路上的一切。
Steam rises from a volcano near the sea.
蒸汽从靠近海洋的火山中升起.
When tsunamis approach the shore, they break as giant waves.
海啸逼近岸边时,会像巨浪一样破碎.
The largest tsunami ever recorded happened when an earthquake triggered a landslide in a small Alaskan bay in 1958.
1958年阿拉斯加小湾发生地震引发山体滑坡,是有史以来最大的海啸.
The landslide splashed water 524 meters (1,720 ft) into the air and sent a giant tsunami racing down the bay.
山体滑坡将524公尺(1,720英尺)的水溅入了空中,并派出了一场巨大的海啸冲下海湾.
Most tsunamis are not that big—they are usually between one and ten stories high when they reach the shore.
大多数海啸没有那么大,
That might not sound very high, but it is hard to imagine the power of this much moving water.
这听起来可能不太高, 但很难想象这些移动多的水的力量。
Most coastal towns and villages are much less than 30 meters (100 ft) above the sea.
大多数沿海城镇和村庄都远低于海拔30米(100英尺).
Even a small tsunami can destroy houses, streets, and entire towns.
甚至小型海啸也能摧毁房屋、街道和整个城镇。
A tsunami caused by a volcano in Indonesia killed 36,000 people in 1883.
1883年印度尼西亚一火山引发的海啸使36000人丧生.
More recently, a large tsunami struck the countries bordering the Indian Ocean in 2004.
最近,2004年印度洋沿岸国家发生大海啸。
The Indian Ocean Tsunami began when an earthquake occurred on the ocean floor near the western coast of Indonesia.
印度洋海啸始于印度尼西亚西海岸附近洋底发生地震.
The earthquake caused a ring of tsunami waves to speed outward from the point of origin, crossing hundreds and even thousands of kilometers of open ocean to strike countries far away.
地震导致一圈海啸波从发源地向外加速,穿越了数百甚至上千公里的开阔海洋去远处的国家.
More than 225,000 people in eleven countries bordering the Indian Ocean were killed by the resulting waves.
印度洋接壤的11个国家有超过22.5万人被产生的海浪所杀.
Satellite data analyzed after the tragedy showed that the height of the tsunami wave in the deep ocean was only 60 centimeters (2 ft).
在悲剧后分析的卫星数据表明,海啸波在深海的高度只有60厘米(2英尺).
When the waves reached the shallow waters near the beaches, however, they often grew to reach over 24 meters (78 ft) tall.
然而,当海浪到达海滩附近的浅水区时,它们往往会生长到超过24米(78英尺)高地.
As a result of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, many countries are now working together to create a tsunami warning system for that part of the world.
由于2004年印度洋海啸,许多国家目前正在共同努力为世界这一地区建立一个海啸预警系统。
Like volcanoes, tsunamis are becoming easier to predict.
同火山一样,海啸也越来越容易预测。
They usually do not hit the shore until a few minutes to a few hours after the earthquake or volcano that causes them.
它们通常在引起它们的地震或火山发生后几分钟至几小时后才会撞上岸.
Scientists have instruments that detect volcanoes and earthquakes.
科学家有探测火山和地震的仪器.
When a large eruption or earthquake happens, scientists have time to warn people that a tsunami may be coming.
当大规模爆发或地震发生时,科学家有时间警告人们,海啸可能会来袭.
Unfortunately, the system cannot warn people in time to save their homes or belongings.
不幸的是,该系统不能及时警告人们拯救家园或财物。
But they do have time to save their lives, which is the most important thing.
但是,他们确实有时间去拯救自己的生命,这是最重要的事情。
Conclusion Our quiet planet occasionally turns violent.
结论 我们安静的星球偶尔会变成暴力
During a large earthquake, the ground shakes, destroying homes and property.
在一次大地震中,地势摇摇欲坠,摧毁了房屋和财产.
In an explosive volcanic eruption, liquid rock, poisonous gases, ash, and landslides can bury cities.
在爆炸性的火山喷发中,液体岩石,有毒气体,灰烬和地崩可以掩埋城市.
And tsunamis can cost billions of dollars in damage along coastlines.
海啸可能会在海岸线沿线造成数十亿美元的损失。
Scientists are trying to learn as much as they can about these violent events.
科学家们正在尽力了解这些暴力事件。
As they learn more, scientists can predict volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis in order to save thousands of lives.
当他们学到更多知识时,科学家可以预测出火山,地震和海啸,以便拯救上千人的生命.
Glossary earthquake (n.)
词汇地震(n.)
the shaking of Earth’s crust caused by underground vibrations (p.
地壳由地表震动引起的震动(p.
4) faults (n.)
4)断层 (n.
cracks in Earth’s crust along which movement occurs (p.
地球地壳的裂口随运动而发生(p.
5) landslides (n.)
5) 山体滑坡 (n.
moving masses of soil and rock that flow down slopes (p.
向下坡流出的大量土壤和岩石(p.
14) magma (n.)
14)岩浆 (n.
melted, liquid rock beneath Earth’s surface (p.
在地表下被熔化的液态岩石(p.
6) mudslide (n.)
6) 泥石流 (n.
a dirt- and debris-filled flood of water (p.
由泥土和碎屑填充的水(p.
15) Richter scale (n.)
15) 里氏度(n.
the scale that measures the strength of earthquakes (p.
测量地震强度的尺度(p.
9) tectonic plates (n.)
9) 构造板块 (n.
large sheets of rock and soil that make up Earth’s crust (p.
构成地壳的大片岩石和土壤(p.
5) tsunamis (n.)
(5)海啸 (n.