新西兰英语 676 Predicting earthquakes（在线收听） |
Seismologists – scientists who study earthquakes – know that they cannot predict 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 sudden big earthquake, this was followed a few months later by a second earthquake. While it is not possible to be 100% accurate when predicting 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 magnitude earthquake killed 309 people.
This week, judges sentenced six seismologists and one government official to six years in prison for not warning 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 |
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