【參考范文】

　　An earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by the sudden breaking and shifting of large sections of Earth's rocky outer shell. Earthquakes are among the most powerful events on earth, and their results can be terrifying. A severe earthquake may release energy 10,000 times as great as that of the first atomic bomb. Rock movements during an earthquake can make rivers change their course. Earthquakes can trigger landslides that cause great damage and loss of life. Large earthquakes beneath the ocean can create a series of huge, destructive waves called tsunamis (pronounced tsoo NAH meez) that flood coasts for many miles.

　　Earthquakes almost never kill people directly. Instead, many deaths and injuries in earthquakes result from falling objects and the collapse of buildings, bridges, and other structures. Fire resulting from broken gas or power lines is another major danger during a quake. Spills of hazardous chemicals are also a concern during an earthquake.

　　The force of an earthquake depends on how much rock breaks and how far it shifts. Powerful earthquakes can shake firm ground violently for great distances. During minor earthquakes, the vibration may be no greater than the vibration caused by a passing truck.

　　On average, a powerful earthquake occurs less than once every two years. At least 40 moderate earthquakes cause damage somewhere in the world each year. About 40,000 to 50,000 small earthquakes--large enough to be felt but not damaging--occur annually.

　　【參考譯文】

　　地震引起的震動(dòng)的地面突然斷裂,將大部分的地球的巖石外殼。地震是地球上最強(qiáng)大的事件之一,和他們的結(jié)果會(huì)很可怕的。一場(chǎng)嚴(yán)重的地震釋放能量的10000倍,第一顆原子彈。巖石運(yùn)動(dòng)在地震期間可以使河流改變他們的課程。地震會(huì)引發(fā)山體滑坡,造成巨大的傷亡和損失。大地震在海洋可以創(chuàng)建一系列巨大的破壞性海嘯波稱為(發(fā)音之下meez),洪水對(duì)許多英里海岸。

　　地震幾乎從未直接殺人。相反,許多人死亡和傷害在地震起因于下落的對(duì)象和倒塌的建筑物,橋梁和其他結(jié)構(gòu)。火災(zāi)造成破碎的氣體或電線是另一個(gè)主要危險(xiǎn)在地震。危險(xiǎn)化學(xué)品的泄漏也在地震中關(guān)注。

　　地震的力量依靠多少巖石斷裂和多遠(yuǎn)它轉(zhuǎn)移。強(qiáng)烈地震可能猛烈地震動(dòng)牢固的地面很遠(yuǎn)。在較小地震期間,振動(dòng)也許不會(huì)大于振動(dòng)引起的卡車。

　　平均而言,一個(gè)強(qiáng)大的地震發(fā)生不到每?jī)赡暌淮巍Ｖ辽?0次輕度地震造成損害每年在世界的每個(gè)角落。大約40000到50000小地震,足以感受到但不損壞——每年發(fā)生。