【轻松英文阅读】龙卷风

 Tornados are one of the most frightening weather phenomena² on our planet. Not only are they unique in how they form, but also in how they are measured . A tornado¹’s intensity³ is defined by the Enhanced Fujita Scale. On this scale, the intensity of the tornado correlates to the damage it produces . Damage on the scale is rated from zero to five, zero being the least destructive and five the most. EF 0 storms are the most common. Their winds are estimated to be from 65 to 85 mph and cause very little damage. At the top of the scale, EF 5 tornadoes⁴ are the least common and the most destructive with winds over 200 mph.

 

The original Fujita Scale was designed by Dr. Tetsuya “Ted” Fujita, a researcher of severe storms from Kitakyushu, Japan. Many scientists the same field agree that his research, carried out at the University of Chicago, revolutionized our knowledge of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons . He made his greatest contributions in the field of tornadoes , which is how he earned the nickname, Mr. Tornado , from his colleagues.

 

Mr. Fujita passed away in 1998, but his work is still very important today. With the ability to track storms better and give warnings earlier countless⁵ lives have been saved thanks to Dr. Fujita's efforts.

1 tornado   

n.飓风，龙卷风

参考例句：

• A tornado whirled into the town last week.龙卷风上周袭击了这座城市。
• The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。

2 phenomena   

n.现象

参考例句：

• Ade couldn't relate the phenomena with any theory he knew.艾德无法用他所知道的任何理论来解释这种现象。
• The object of these experiments was to find the connection,if any,between the two phenomena.这些实验的目的就是探索这两种现象之间的联系，如果存在着任何联系的话。

3 intensity   

n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度

参考例句：

• I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
• The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。

4 tornadoes   

n.龙卷风，旋风( tornado的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Tornadoes, severe earthquakes, and plagues create wide spread havoc. 龙卷风、大地震和瘟疫成普遍的毁坏。 来自互联网
• Meteorologists are at odds over the working of tornadoes. 气象学者对龙卷风的运动方式看法不一。 来自互联网

5 countless   

adj.无数的，多得不计其数的

参考例句：

• In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
• I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。