EnglishPod

Global View - Natural Disasters #D0192

Bob: Those are the headlines for today, and now for the international weather report with Mike Sanderson.

Mike: Thank you, Bob! This past week has been the beginning of Armageddon for many, a series of unprecedented meteorological events occurred around the world. In Switzerland, a major avalanche was reported in the Alps. Fortunately, no one was injured. Due to the extreme cold this winter, a blizzard has struck the US Midwest, causing classes in schools and universities to be temporarily canceled.

Mike: Moving to Latin American, Ecuador has suffered a six month drought that has not only affected farming, but has also forced the closure of the hydroelectric power plant that provides electricity for the entire country. In Chile, a major earthquake that registered seven point five on the Richter scale struck the southern region. Losses are reported to be in the billions. Authorities have not yet released an official statement.

Bob: Not a great week for the world! Any good news?

Mike: I’m afraid not, Bob. One of the major volcanoes in Mexico has erupted, causing major floods and landslides in the region. Meanwhile, Mexico ’s coast has been hit by hurricane Liliana and officials say that all the seismic activity leads them to believe that a tsunami may hit Central America, affecting Honduras, Guatemala and Panama. That’s all the news we have for today, but stay tuned for updates on the six o’clock news. Back to you Bob.

Key Vocabulary

blizzard - great snow

drought - a prolonged period of scanty rainfall

hurricane - very big rain and wind storm

tsunami - a large sea wave produced by an earthquake

seismic activity - something that tech relating to or caused by an earthquake

Supplementary Vocabulary

hail - small pieces of ice that fall from the sky instead of rain

tornado - a strong whirl of air that moves quickly

typhoon - a tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific or Indian oceans

hurricane - a severe tropical cyclone having winds greater than one hundred kilometers per hour

heat wave - a period of unusually hot weather