英语听力精选进阶版 13646

Hawaii's volcano could turn violent

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano attracts two million tourists every year, who photograph its spectacular lava¹ rivers. But scientists have discovered explosive eruptions³ have been far more common through Kilauea's history. If that behaviour returns, it could have implications for Hawaii's economy.

Reporter

Jonathan Amos

Lava pouring into the sea off Kilauea volcano in Hawaii 

9 December 2011

Kilauea's lava flows running into the ocean are a tourist attraction

Report

There's no doubting Kilauea's beauty. Its frequent lava flows running down to the ocean's edge are a big attraction.

But scientists say their latest research indicates that explosive eruptions of ash and rock have been far more common in the past than the gentle, photogenic outflows seen today.

By studying the charred⁴ remains⁵ of plants caught up in historic blasts, they've established that Kilauea's more violent mode has dominated the last 2,500 years.

A classic example was 1790, when the volcano hurled⁶ rock and ash at island inhabitants, killing⁷ many hundreds of people. The event remains the most lethal⁸ known eruption² in America.

Scientists say it's not possible to predict if this violent behaviour will return but should it come back, large parts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park would be off-limits for a long time.

Scientists say there should be ample warning of a change in behaviour so it's not something local people should worry about just now.

Jonathan Amos, BBC News

1 lava   

n.熔岩，火山岩

参考例句：

• The lava flowed down the sides of the volcano.熔岩沿火山坡面涌流而下。
• His anger spilled out like lava.他的愤怒像火山爆发似的迸发出来。

2 eruption   

n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作

参考例句：

• The temple was destroyed in the violent eruption of 1470 BC.庙宇在公元前1470年猛烈的火山爆发中摧毁了。
• The eruption of a volcano is spontaneous.火山的爆发是自发的。

3 eruptions   

n.喷发，爆发( eruption的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There have been several volcanic eruptions this year. 今年火山爆发了好几次。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Over 200 people have been killed by volcanic eruptions. 火山喷发已导致200多人丧生。 来自辞典例句

4 charred   

v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦

参考例句：

• the charred remains of a burnt-out car 被烧焦的轿车残骸
• The intensity of the explosion is recorded on the charred tree trunks. 那些烧焦的树干表明爆炸的强烈。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

6 hurled   

v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂

参考例句：

• He hurled a brick through the window. 他往窗户里扔了块砖。
• The strong wind hurled down bits of the roof. 大风把屋顶的瓦片刮了下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

8 lethal   

adj.致死的；毁灭性的

参考例句：

• A hammer can be a lethal weapon.铁锤可以是致命的武器。
• She took a lethal amount of poison and died.她服了致命剂量的毒药死了。