They've been recorded on all seven continents.

他們在七大洲都有過記錄。

But most quakes take place in just three regions.

但大多數地震只發生在三個地區。

The mid atlantic ridge, an underwater line that runs down the atlantic ocean, The alpine belt, which stretches from the Mediterranean to Southeast Asia, and the circum Pacific belt, which traces along the edges of the Pacific Ocean and is where about 80% of all earthquakes occur.

大西洋中部山脊，一條沿著大西洋的水下線；高山帶，從地中海延伸到東南亞；環太平洋帶，沿著太平洋的邊緣追蹤，大約80%的地震發生在這裡。

These areas experience the most earthquakes due to what lies beneath the surface.

由於地表下的東西，這些地區經歷的地震最多。

Earthquakes are the result of pressure.

地震是壓力的結果。

Specifically pressure caused by extreme stress in the earth's crust.

特別是由地殼中的極端壓力造成的壓力。

That stress can be caused by volcanic activity or even manmade activities in certain areas.

這種壓力可能是由火山活動或甚至某些地區的人為活動造成的。

However, most earthquake inducing stress is caused by the movement of tectonic plates.

然而，大多數地震誘發的應力是由構造板塊的運動引起的。

Tectonic plates are constantly moving either against away along or underneath each other, but sometimes their edges may catch and stick.

構造板塊不斷地沿著對方的方向或在對方的下方移動，但有時它們的邊緣可能會抓住並粘住。

The plates, however, continue to move or at least attempt to energy from this attempted movement builds around the edges sticking point, creating immense pressure until the edges are forced to let go and the plates slip.

然而，板塊繼續移動，或至少試圖從這種嘗試性的移動中獲得能量，在邊緣粘著點周圍形成巨大的壓力，直到邊緣被迫放手，板塊滑動。

This causes a sudden and powerful release of energy so powerful that it breaks the earth's crust.

這導致了突然而強大的能量釋放，以至於打破了地殼。

This fracturing emits shockwaves through the ground and causes intense vibrations or quakes.

這種壓裂法通過地面發出衝擊波，引起強烈的振動或地震。

In fact, the world's most earthquake prone regions are where the most geologically active plates meet earthquakes or any seismic activity are recorded by seismographs when the ground shakes.

事實上，世界上最容易發生地震的地區是地質最活躍的板塊相遇的地方，當地面震動時，地震儀會記錄地震或任何地震活動。

Seismographs oscillate drawing a jagged line to reflect this movement.

地震儀振盪時畫出一條鋸齒狀的線來反映這種運動。

The more extreme the earthquake.

越是極端的地震越是如此。

The greater the height of the jagged line.

鋸齒線的高度越大。

These recorded motions are then used to measure the earthquake strength or magnitude.

這些記錄的運動然後被用來測量地震強度或震級。

While several scales of magnitude exist.

雖然存在著幾個量級的問題。

The one seismologists prefer is the moment magnitude scale.

地震學家喜歡的是矩量級。

It has no upper limit and it measures earthquakes logarithmic li this means that each magnitude on its scale is 10 times greater than the one before it.

它沒有上限，它測量地震的對數，這意味著它的每一個震級都比之前的震級大10倍。

Unlike the now rarely used Richter scale, the moment magnitude scale can be applied globally and can measure quakes of the highest magnitudes.

與現在很少使用的里氏震級不同，矩型震級可以在全球範圍內應用，可以測量最高震級的地震。

The largest recorded earthquake occurred near Valdivia Chile in 1960, Nestled within the circum Pacific belt.

有記錄的最大地震發生在1960年智利瓦爾迪維亞附近，坐落在環太平洋地帶。

The Valdivia earthquake was the most powerful in a series of quakes that struck the region, measuring at a magnitude of about 9.5.

巴爾迪維亞地震是襲擊該地區的一系列地震中最強大的一次，其震級約為9.5級。

In addition to causing devastating tremors on land, the earthquake also generated a deadly tsunami reaching up to 80 ft high.

除了在陸地上造成破壞性的震盪外，地震還產生了致命的海嘯，高度達80英尺。

The tsunami raced across the pacific ocean, hitting far away countries like the Philippines and japan.

海嘯橫跨太平洋，襲擊了像菲律賓和日本這樣遙遠的國家。

In fact, data from seismographs show that the shock waves emitted by the Valdivia earthquake continued to shake the entire planet for days.

事實上，來自地震儀的數據顯示，瓦爾迪維亞地震發出的衝擊波持續震動了整個地球好幾天。

Some earthquake prone areas have adapted various ways to protect their communities.

一些容易發生地震的地區已經適應了各種方式來保護他們的社區。

Buildings and bridges are designed to sway rather than break when an earthquake occurs.

建築物和橋樑被設計成在地震發生時搖擺而不是斷裂。

The public is educated on how to protect themselves during a seismic event and government officials enact drills to ensure the protection of their people.

公眾被教育如何在地震事件中保護自己，政府官員頒佈演習以確保對人民的保護。

Earthquakes can leave behind incredible devastation.

地震可能會留下令人難以置信的破壞力。

But these same forces have also created magnificent features, with each adding character to a planet so unique.

但這些力量也創造了宏偉的特徵，每一種特徵都為這個如此獨特的星球增添了特色。