Japan’s Megaquake Warning Leads to Worry, Preparation

An agency of Japan's government recently gave its first-ever "megaquake advisory," or warning message.

日本政府的一个机构最近发布了史上首次“巨震预警”或警告信息。

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued the warning after a powerful quake struck on August 8 off the southeastern coast of Japan's main island of Kyushu.

8月8日，在日本主要岛屿九州东南海岸附近发生了一次强烈地震后，日本气象厅（JMA）发出了这项警告。

The magnitude 7.1 quake caused no deaths or severe damage, but the advisory has led to questions and a sense of worry.

这次7.1级地震没有造成人员死亡或严重损害，但这一预警引发了质疑和担忧。

Japan is among the countries most hit by earthquakes.

日本是受地震影响最严重的国家之一。

Now many citizens are wondering about when the next big quake will hit.

现在，许多市民都在担心下一次大地震会在何时发生。

The Associated Press recently explained what the advisory means, what people are being told to do:

美联社最近解释了这项预警的含义以及人们应采取的措施：

What is a megaquake advisory?

什么是巨震预警？

JMA issued the advisory after deciding that the August 8 quake increased the likelihood of another major quake.

日本气象厅在决定8月8日的地震增加了另一场大地震的可能性后发布了这项预警。

The agency said there is a 70 to 80 percent chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake associated with an area called the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years.

该机构表示，在接下来的30年内，与称为南海海槽的区域相关的8级或9级地震的可能性为70%到80%。

The JMA said the probability of such an event is now "higher than normal."

日本气象厅表示，这种事件的概率现在“高于正常水平”。

Naoshi Hirata is a seismologist at the University of Tokyo and head of the JMA's group of experts.

平田尚志是东京大学的地震学家，也是日本气象厅专家组的负责人。

He said that the warning was not a prediction that a megaquake will happen at any specific time or place.

他表示，这项预警并不是对任何特定时间或地点会发生巨震的预测。

He urged people to remain careful and prepared.

他敦促人们保持警惕并做好准备。

What is the Nankai Trough?

南海海槽是什么？

The Nankai Trough is an undersea trench, or a deep valley on the ocean floor, that runs from the waters just off the southeastern coast of Kyushu, to Suruga Bay in central Japan.

南海海槽是一个海底深谷，从九州东南海岸附近的海域延伸至日本中央的静冈湾，长度约为800公里。

It is about 800 kilometers long.

它长约800公里。

Two large areas of the Earth's surface, the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet there.

地球表面的两个大板块，菲律宾海板块和欧亚板块，在那里交汇。

The Philippine plate slowly pulls down on the Eurasian plate and causes it to release energy from time to time.

菲律宾板块缓慢地向下拉动欧亚板块，导致它不时释放能量。

The JMA said that could lead to a megaquake and tsunami.

日本气象厅表示，这可能导致巨震和海啸。

The last Nankai Trough quake was off Shikoku in 1946.

最后一次南海海槽地震发生在1946年的四国岛附近。

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated its magnitude to be 8.3, and more than 1,400 people died.

美国地质调查局估计其震级为8.3级，导致1400多人遇难。

What is the government doing to prepare?

政府正在做什么准备？

As a result of the "megaquake advisory," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled a trip and announced he would lead the government response.

由于“巨震预警”，日本首相岸田文雄取消了出访，并宣布将领导政府应对工作。

Local governments are studying their emergency plans.

地方政府正在研究应急计划。

Experts and officials have urged people to stay calm and to continue normal life but to prepare for a possible evacuation.

专家和官员们已敦促民众保持冷静，继续正常生活，同时为可能的撤离做好准备。

JMA experts said on August 12 they have so far found no abnormal activity that would suggest a megaquake.

日本气象厅专家在8月12日表示，他们至今未发现任何异常活动的迹象，表明可能发生巨震。

How are people reacting?

人们的反应如何？

The "megaquake advisory” is filled with scientific terms.

“巨震预警”充满了科学术语。

It has worried people across the country.

这让全国人民感到担忧。

Some towns closed beaches and canceled yearly events.

一些城镇关闭了海滩，取消了年度活动。

This has led to problems for travelers during Japan's Obon holiday week, a time for festivals and fireworks across the nation.

这导致了日本盂兰盆节期间的旅行者出现问题，这段时间全国各地有节日庆典和烟火表演。

Some stores are running out of emergency supplies, even in areas where there is little risk.

一些商店的应急物资短缺，即使是在风险较小的地区。

In the vacation town of Matsuyama city on the island of Shikoku, hotels and resorts studied their evacuation plans and emergency equipment.

在四国岛的度假城市松山市，酒店和度假村研究了他们的撤离计划和应急设备。

In another seaside town, Shirahama, outdoor hot springs were closed for a week and a fireworks festival was cancelled.

在另一个海边城镇白滨，户外温泉关闭了一周，烟火节也被取消了。