新西兰英语 676 Predicting earthquakes

 　　Seismologists – scientists who study earthquakes – know that they cannot predict¹ earthquakes. They know areas which have more possibility of earthquakes. They can use computers to look at patterns of earthquakes around the world. For example, after the 7.1 earthquake in Canterbury in September 2010, seismologists told us there was a strong possibility of another large after-shock within the next few months. Why did they think this could happen? Because in other countries where there was a sudden² big earthquake, this was followed a few months later by a second earthquake. While it is not possible to be 100% accurate³ when predicting⁴ earthquakes, this time they were right.

　　L’Aquila, Italy, is an area which has earthquakes. In 1703, they had a very big one. Three years ago, there were many small earthquakes. Seismologists studied this pattern of small earthquakes in many other places and found that 98% of the time these small shakes did not lead to a big earthquake. They told the people of L’Aquila not to worry, that their town was safe. However, in April 2009, a 6.3 magnitude⁵ earthquake killed 309 people.

　　This week, judges sentenced six seismologists and one government official to six years in prison for not warning⁶ people of the risk of an earthquake.

　　Vocabulary

　　predict – forecast, know what will happen in the future

　　accurate -correct

　　sentenced – found guilty and given a punishment

　　risk – danger

1 predict   

v.预知，预言，预报

参考例句：

• It's hard to predict how things will turn out.很难预测事情会变成怎么样。
• I cannot predict when to meet her again.我无法预测什么时候会再见到她。

2 sudden   

n.突然，忽然；adj.突然的，意外的，快速的

参考例句：

• All of a sudden he turned about and saw me.他突然转过身来看见了我。
• The horse was badly frightened by the sudden noise.那匹马被突然而来的嘈杂声吓坏了。

3 accurate   

adj.正确无误的；准确的，精确的

参考例句：

• He has made an accurate measurement of my garden.他准确地丈量了我的花园。
• He is always accurate in what he says and does.他说的和做的总是正确无误。

4 predicting   

预言，预测，预示( predict的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• a reliable method of predicting earthquakes 预报地震的可靠方法
• Political commentators are predicting that the minister will have to resign. 政治评论员预言这位部长将会辞职。

5 magnitude   

n.大小；重大；星等

参考例句：

• I want to know the magnitude of this equipment.我想知道这个设备的大小。
• I hadn't realized the magnitude of the problem.我没有认识到这个问题的重要性。

6 warning   

n.警告，告诫，训诫，警戒，警报

参考例句：

• The other side paid no attention to our warning.对方不重视我方的警告。
• He realized that his doctor was warning him off drink.他意识到医生在告诫他戒酒。