8.8級強震引發太平洋海嘯警報

雙語正文

【1】A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, triggering widespread tsunami warnings and evacuation orders across the Pacific region, including Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, California, and multiple Pacific islands.
周三清晨，俄羅斯堪察加半島海域發生8.8級強震，引發太平洋多地海嘯警報和疏散命令，受影響區域包括日本、夏威夷、阿拉斯加、加利福尼亞以及多個太平洋島國。

【2】The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) initially issued a tsunami warning for Hawaii, later downgrading it to an advisory, stating that a “major tsunami is not expected” though hazardous sea-level changes and strong currents could endanger swimmers, boaters, and those near the shoreline.
太平洋海嘯預警中心（PTWC）最初對夏威夷發出海嘯警報，隨后將其降級為預警，并表示“不會有重大海嘯襲擊夏威夷”，但仍警告海平面異常變化和強烈海流可能對游泳者、船只及海岸附近人員造成威脅。

【3】Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency issued evacuation advisories for more than 900,000 residents across 133 municipalities, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Tsunami waves up to 1–3 meters were predicted, while initial waves of approximately 30 cm were observed along Hokkaido’s coastline.
日本消防和防災廳已向北海道至沖繩的133個市町村約90萬人發布疏散建議。預計海嘯浪高可達1-3米，目前北海道沿岸已監測到約30厘米的初始海浪。

【4】In Russia’s northern Kuril Islands, waves reached 3–5 meters, flooding coastal towns and damaging infrastructure. Authorities declared a state of emergency, with residents evacuated to higher ground. Meanwhile, California reported tsunami waves of 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) above tide levels at Arena Cove, with a warning still in effect for the northern coastline up to the Oregon border.
在俄羅斯北部的千島群島，海嘯浪高達3-5米，造成沿海城鎮被淹和基礎設施損毀。當地已宣布進入緊急狀態，居民被疏散至高地。與此同時，加利福尼亞州報告稱阿瑞納灣潮位已上升0.5米，并對加州北部至俄勒岡邊境的沿海地區維持警報。

【5】New Zealand and parts of Australia issued low-level alerts, warning of “unusual currents and surges” but advising against mass evacuations unless instructed by local authorities. Coastal regions from Guam to Saipan, as well as Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands, also implemented precautionary measures.
新西蘭及澳大利亞部分地區發布低級別警報，提醒可能出現“異常海流和海水激增”，但除非接到當地部門指令，不建議大規模撤離。關島、塞班島以及厄瓜多爾的加拉帕戈斯群島等地也采取了預防措施。

【6】Authorities and experts emphasized that tsunamis consist of multiple waves and the first wave may not be the largest. Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to stay away from coastal zones, stating that “a tsunami is not a regular wave; its force can easily move vehicles and destroy structures.”
政府與專家強調，海嘯通常由多道波浪組成，首波并非最大。夏威夷州長喬什·格林呼吁居民遠離沿海區域，并指出：“海嘯不是普通的波浪，它的力量足以推動車輛、摧毀建筑?！?/p>

高階詞匯講解

1. magnitude (n.) – 震級，強度
   例句：The earthquake reached a magnitude of 8.8 on the Richter scale.

2. advisory (n.) – 預警公告
   例句：The PTWC downgraded the warning to an advisory for Hawaii.

3. inundation (n.) – 淹沒，洪水泛濫
   例句：A tsunami warning means significant inundation is possible.

4. precautionary measures (n.) – 預防措施
   例句：Authorities in Guam took precautionary measures to ensure safety.

5. infrastructure (n.) – 基礎設施
   例句：The tsunami damaged coastal infrastructure in Russia’s Kuril Islands.

閱讀理解題

Q1. What is the primary reason for the mass evacuations across Pacific regions?
A. A tropical storm forecasted to hit the region.
B. An 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka triggering tsunami risks.
C. A nuclear plant meltdown similar to Fukushima in 2011.
D. A volcanic eruption in Japan.

正確答案：B
解析： 文中明確指出，地震引發的海嘯警報是撤離的直接原因。

Q2. According to the PTWC, what is the main hazard currently expected in Hawaii?
A. A massive earthquake on the islands.
B. A major tsunami with waves exceeding 5 meters.
C. Sea-level fluctuations and strong currents dangerous to swimmers and boaters.
D. A volcanic eruption in Mauna Loa.

正確答案：C
解析： PTWC已將警報降級為預警，主要風險是異常海流與潮位變化。