新西兰英语 367 29 Miners Trapped

　　29 miners are trapped in the Pike River coal mine on the West Coast of the South Island A gas explosion yesterday about 4.30pm trapped the miners. Nobody knows if they are still alive but it is possible they have found a safe area near a fresh air pipe.
Tests of the air near the entrance show dangerous levels of methane¹ (CH4) and carbon monoxide (CO). A rescue team of 16 miners is waiting to enter the mine but they cannot do this until the air quality is safe.
The mine is a horizontal mine, not vertical² like the one in Chile where 33 miners were trapped recently. A 2km tunnel, with some branches, goes into the mountain about 120m deep. Pike River mine is 40km from the town of Greymouth but because the road to the mine is steep, twisting and narrow, only emergency vehicles are allowed up the road. Families have to wait in Greymouth.
Greymouth is a small town with a population of about 10,000. The mayor says he knows all the miners who are trapped. The oldest one is 62 and the youngest is 17 years old. 24 of the miners are New Zealanders, 2 are Australians and 3 have British passports.
Australia, Chile, USA and other countries have offered help.
Questions
Why is mining so dangerous?
Why do some people choose this job?

1 methane   

n.甲烷，沼气

参考例句：

• The blast was caused by pockets of methane gas that ignited.爆炸是由数袋甲烷气体着火引起的。
• Methane may have extraterrestrial significance.甲烷具有星际意义。

2 vertical   

adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置

参考例句：

• The northern side of the mountain is almost vertical.这座山的北坡几乎是垂直的。
• Vertical air motions are not measured by this system.垂直气流的运动不用这种系统来测量。