泰坦尼克号沉没原因新解 气候异常

‘The iceberg risk in 1912, in terms of number entering the northwest Atlantic shipping lanes, was therefore large, but not uNPRecedented,’ the authors write.
作者还在论文中写道：“1912年存在的冰山风险，从大西洋西北部海域上存在的冰山数量来说，是很大的，但也并非前所未有。”

Icebergs, however, generally lose most of their size while drifting south.
但是这些冰山在向南漂浮的过程中改变了原来的大小。

It is thought that the Titanic iceberg was up to 605ft (185m) deep and about 410ft (125m) long, quite large for one so far south.
有人认为导致泰坦尼克号沉船的这块冰山深度达605英尺（约185米），长度为410英尺（约125米），这对于一座南移了这么多的冰山来说已经够大了。

The reason for this, the authors say, was because high pressure dominated the mid-latitude, central Atlantic atmosphere for several days in 1912.
作者称，1912年冰山出现异常是连续多日控制在中纬度、大西洋中部的高气压气流所致。

This led to winds carrying freezing air from northeastern Canada over the western Atlantic south of Newfoundland and, in turn, led to icebergs being transferred further south than normal for that time of year.
这导致夹带冷空气的大风从加拿大西北部刮过大西洋西部和纽芬兰岛的南部，继而使得冰山向南漂浮。

Indeed, the distance south this particular iceberg travelled while maintaining the bulk of its size was largely unusual, despite being in a year with not a record number of icebergs.
确实，无论是这块冰山向南偏离的距离，还是它的体积，虽然都不是记录最高值，但都远远异于常年值。

‘Thus, two unfavourable factors had combined: there were a greater (though not exceptionally greater) number of icebergs than normal that year; and weather conditions had driven them further south, and earlier in the year, than was usual,’ the authors write. They add, however: ‘We may add a third: the stresses on the crew of the Titanic’s maiden voyage.’

“所以，事故发生当时有两个不利因素：一是远高于往年的冰山数量（但未破纪录值），二是天气状况导致的冰山位置异常偏南。”作者写道，并补充说：“当然还有另一个因素：泰坦尼克的首次航行给船上工作人员带来的压力。”