VOA慢速英语:Wreckage from Japanese Tsunami Reaching Western United States

1. Let us look now at what causes a tsunami wave. The land underneath the ocean is made up of “tectonic plates.

be made up of 由……组成
例句：Life is made up of little things. 
[谚]人生是由琐碎的事物构成的。 

2. These large areas are always moving. Usually the plates just rub up against each other on a crack, called a “fault line.”

each other 互相
例句：Do you often help each other with your lessons? 
你们经常互相帮助复习功课吗？ 

3. Over time, a large amount of pressure builds up on the plate that has slid under the other.

build up 增进
例句：He tried to build up his strength.
他试图增进体质。

4. When a tsunami forms, the wave can spread out quickly.

spread out 展开；传播
例句：The search party spread out over the moor. 
搜索队在荒草地分散行动. 

5. Then, a “drawback” may happen: Suddenly, a large area of coastline has very little water because the water is quickly being pulled away from land.

away from 远离
例句：He jerked his head away from the lilac. 
他把头一偏，离开了那枝丁香。 

6. In fact, in some areas the sea walls were as low as three meters.

in fact 事实上
例句：In fact, that is the reason why I'm here to see you. 
事实上 这是我来见你的原因。 

7.  But we are concerned, absolutely, it could have a big impact in terms of we want to make sure that we’re protecting our habitat, we’re protecting folks who are out at sea and not getting engaged in any lines or nets that could be out there or debris.

make sure 确保
例句：Screen her bed and make sure she is not disturbed. 
把她的床隔开,确保她不受干扰。 

8. Experts estimate sixty percent of tsunamis take place there.

take place 举行
例句：A concert will soon take place. 
即将举行音乐会。