环球英语 — 350：Italian Earthquake

Voice 1

Hello and welcome to Spotlight. I'm Adam Navis.

Voice 2

And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 3

Pieces of buildings lie on the ground. People cry and shout. Reporters take pictures of the grey dusty earth. One minute this town was beautiful. The next minute, it was in ruins.

Voice 1

On April 6, 2009 the earth shook under the towns and cities of central Italy. It was Italy's worst earthquake for thirty [30] years. The earthquake destroyed much of the town of L'Aquila. It destroyed thousands of houses. And hundreds of people died. In today's programme we look at what happened and why. We also tell what the experts advise people to do in an earthquake.

Voice 2

L'Aquila lies in a beautiful valley, surrounded by the Apennine mountains. It is almost one hundred [100] kilometres northeast of Italy's capital city, Rome. L'Aquila was originally built in the thirteenth century. However, an earthquake in the 1700s destroyed many of the original buildings. And so people had to rebuild their town. Today the town's buildings are a mix of old and new. Old buildings are in the centre, and more modern buildings are away from the centre. In April 2009, people watched both ancient and modern buildings fall to the ground.

Voice 3

Santa Maria di Collemaggio is one of the area's most famous churches. Part of it fell...

Voice 4

Four churches and a sixteenth century castle were partly destroyed.

Voice 3

L'Aquila was proud of its new public hospital. It opened in 2000. The building was supposed to be more resistant to earthquakes. But it fell along with the ancient buildings. Doctors were forced to treat earthquake victims outside.'

Voice 1

Franco Barbieri is an expert in the scientific study of the earth's structure. He shared the same opinion as other such scientists. They say that Italian buildings were not built to stand against earthquakes - against seismic events. Barbieri said:

Voice 5

'Other countries have been using anti-seismic protection for some time. If this had happened in a country like California or Japan, there would not have been a single death. It makes me angry.'

Voice 1

However, other experts say it is not helpful to compare Italy to Japan or California. One reason is that many of Italy's buildings are very old. Dante Benini is a building designer in Milan. He describes another reason:

Voice 6

'Modern houses must be built to meet seismic rules. Our problem is that we have good laws but bad builders. My industry needs to have morals. New structures should be built better than the law requires!'

Voice 2

Italy's Prime Minister said that the government aims to rebuild the town of L'Aquila within two years. He said buildings will be made to better resist earthquakes. Meanwhile the rest of the world mourns with Italy for the death of its people.

Voice 1

Italy's earthquake was tragic. And yet it was not one of the worst of recent times. In 2008 an earthquake in China killed more than eighty-seven thousand [87,000] people. All over the world, many people live in places where earthquakes can happen. Scientists tell us that it is not possible to know exactly when an earthquake will happen. However, they do know which areas have the greatest risk. Experts have marked these places on a map of the whole world. They call this map the Global Seismic Hazard map. Do you live in an area at risk from earthquakes? Do you know what to do if an earthquake happens?

Voice 2

The American Red Cross helps prepare communities for emergencies. The group has produced helpful information for American people to use in an earthquake. People in other countries have also used this information. They have combined it with their local knowledge to produce guidelines for their countries too. We share some of the Red Cross's advice.

Before an earthquake...

Voice 4

Identify a safe place in every room - under a strong table or against an inside wall, where nothing can fall on you. During earthquakes, most deaths and injuries come from objects falling on people.

Voice 3

Fix furniture and other moveable objects to the wall!

Voice 4

Speak to an expert! Find out what you can do to protect your home more - to make it stronger.

Voice 3

Prepare supplies! You should include a radio, light, blankets, medical supplies, food in tins, and protective clothing! Keep strong shoes and a light near your bed.

Voice 4

When the shaking begins....know what to do!

Voice 3

Go through this exercise two or more times each year! - Drop!

Voice 4

Cover!

Voice 3

and hold!

Voice 4

Drop - your body to the floor!

Voice 3

Cover - yourself! For example, ‘drop down' under a strong table, chair, or other heavy object.

Voice 4

Then hold on firmly! This will stop you and the object moving! If there is not a table sit on the floor. Sit against a wall away from windows, or tall objects that could fall on you. Press your face against your arm to protect your eyes.

Voice 3

Teach children to ‘Drop, cover and hold!'

Voice 1

People are in different places when earthquakes happen. Some people are inside their homes or work. Other people are outside. The American Red Cross advises people inside to stay there and follow the ‘drop, cover and hold' advice. The safest place to stand is in the doorway.

Voice 2

But - it is only safer to be inside if the building is strong and not going to fall down! Find out how strong your home is.

Voice 1

If you are outside - move to a clear area, away from trees, sign posts, buildings and electrical poles.

Voice 2

If you are in a car, stay inside it until the shaking stops.

Voice 1

Know what to do when the shaking stops:

Voice 2

See if you have any injuries. Protect yourself from more injuries - put on clothes that cover your arms and legs. Put on strong hard shoes.

Voice 1

Expect aftershocks! The earth may shake again after the earthquake. Remember drop, cover and hold!

Voice 2

This advice is too late for the people of L'Aquila - this time. But L'Aquila is a high risk area. Scientists know that earthquakes will come again in the future. L'Aquila means ‘eagle' in Italian. This strong proud bird is a good image for the town. It represents strength and power. The people will need such skills to rebuild their town. Together, they can ensure that building laws are followed. They can learn from the past, to protect their future.