Have you ever heard of an avalanche (雪崩)? The avalanches is a kind of sudden natural disaster like earthquakes. During an avalanche a lot of snow and ice rush down the mountains. As they rush, the snow and ice move faster and faster. In fact, snow from an avalanche can move as fast as two hundred miles an hour. That is three times faster than a car on a highway!

Most avalanches happen after big storms. In the mountains like the Alps and the Himalayas, there is snow and ice all year round. After big storms, new snow puts more pressure (压力) on the snow that is already in the mountains. It can make the old snow rush down.

Avalanches are very dangerous. Heavy snow moving down the mountains may pull trees and rocks along. That can cause great damage, such as pushing down houses and killing people. Luckily, no one lives in the mountains where avalanches are easy to happen. So not many people die from avalanches each year.

Most people who may lose their lives in avalanches are ski lovers. It’s important for them to stay safe while having fun in the snow mountains. Scientists can usually tell whether an avalanche might happen or not. If you are a ski lover, remember to pay attention to scientists’ warnings before you go skiing.

Many earthquakes happen every year. On April 3, 2024, a 7.3-magnitude (级别) earthquake just struck Hualian in Taiwan Province. 1,142 people hurt themselves and more than 13 people lost their lives in the earthquake. How terrible! If the earthquake is coming, what should we do? How can we save ourselves? 【小题1】

If you are indoors, drop down to the floor. Hide under a good desk, table or other furniture. Stay inside. Be careful not to touch the broken glasses or building parts. If you have enough time, you can go to the washroom as soon as possible. 【小题2】

If you are outside, get to an open place, away from buildings and power lines.

If you are driving, stop. 【小题3】Stay away from bridges. If possible, you had better not stop under trees, light posts, power lines or signs.

When it is safe for you to move around, check the people near you. 【小题4】

Anyway, you should stay calm and try your best to keep yourself safe. 【小题5】

On December 18th, 2023, a big earthquake (地震) hit Jishishan County in Gansu. Ding Xiaolong was asleep at home when the earthquake happened. It woke him up and he quickly ran out of his house. He felt lucky to be alive, but he was sorry for what happened to his friend’s family.

After the earthquake, Ding got a phone call from his friend. He was working in another city. The friend asked Ding to see if his family were OK. However, his house had fallen down. Ding asked over 20 people for help, but it was too late. All four members of his friend’s family had lost their lives.

Ma Shijun, a student, ran out of the dormitory (宿舍) without shoes or a coat. And teachers quickly asked students to go to the playground. “Seeing more and more rescue personnel (救援人员) arriving, I find myself less afraid,” Ma said.

The members of Blue Sky Rescue Team set up lots of tents. Some villagers offered hot water. Taxi drivers were busy carrying the injured (受伤的人) to hospitals. Medical teams were racing against time to help those in need. “Life is the most important,” said the head of a hospital. “There’s hope as long as people are alive.”