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.

　　地震是由地球岩石外壳的大段突然断裂和移动引起的地面震动。地震是地球上最强大的事件之一，他们的结果可能是可怕的。一次严重的地震可能释放的能量是第一颗原子弹的10000倍。地震中的岩石运动可以使河流改变他们的路线。地震会引发山体滑坡，造成巨大的损失和生命损失。海底的大地震可以创建一系列巨大的、破坏性的波叫做海啸（突出tsoo罗meez），洪水沿海许多英里。

　　地震几乎从来不会直接杀人。相反，许多在地震中死亡和受伤的结果是倒塌的物体和建筑物、桥梁和其他结构的倒塌。在地震中，破碎的气体或电线造成的火灾是另一个主要的危险。在地震中危险化学品泄漏也是一个关注的问题。

　　地震的力量取决于岩石的破碎程度和它的变化程度。强大的地震可以猛烈地震动巨大的距离。在小地震期间，振动可能不大于通过卡车引起的振动。

　　平均来说，一个强大的地震每两年发生一次。至少40个中等地震每年在世界上的某个地方造成破坏。大约有40000到50000个小地震，大到可以感觉到，但不会破坏，每年发生一次。

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