科技英语阅读--3.pptVIP

Exercise 2 Q1. What is Richter scale? Q2. when the earthquake measures 7.2 on the Richter scale, what does it mean? Q3. What is the cause of earthquakes? Q4. How is the fault produced? Earthquakes are the most dangerous and deadly of all natural events. They occur in many parts of the world. Giant earthquakes have been recorded in Iran, China, Guatemala, Chile, India, and Alaska. Two of the biggest earthquakes that were ever recorded took place in China and Alaska. These earthquakes measured about 8.5 on the Richter scale. The Richter Scale was devised by Charles Richer in 1935, and compares the energy level of earthquakes. An earthquake that measures a 2 on the scale can be felt but causes little damage. One that measures 4.5 on the scale can cause slight damage, and an earthquake that has a reading of over 7 can cause major damage It is important to note that a reading of 4 indicates a quake ten times as strong as one with a reading of 3. Seismologists want to be able to predict those earthquakes that have a reading of over 4 on the Richter Scale. How do earthquakes occur? Earthquakes are caused by the shifting of rocks along cracks, or faults, in the earth’s crust. The fault is produced when rocks near other are pulled in different directions. The best-known fault in North America is the San Andreas fault in the state of California in the United States. The nations that are actively involved in earthquake prediction programs include Japan, China, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Seismologists in theses countries measure radon in ground water. Radon is a gas that comes from the radioactive decay of radium in rocks. The gas flows through the ground and dissolves in underground streams and wells. Scientists speculate that the amount of radon increases in the ground when rocks layers shift, exposing new rock, and thus more radon. Chinese and Soviet seismologists have reported that in places where stress is building up, the radon levels in