Many animals do strange things before an earthquake. This news may be important. Earthquakes can kill people and knock down homes. The animals may help to save lives.
Some animals make a lot of noise before an earthquake. Farmers have told about this. Dogs that are usually quiet have started to bark (吠). Horses on farms have run around in circles. Mice have left their holes and run away. Cows have given less milk.
In a town in Italy, cats raced down the street in a group. That happened only a few hours before an earthquake. In San Francisco, a man kept tiny pet frogs. One Sunday, the frogs jumped around more than ever. They made loud noises, like bigger frogs. That night, an earthquake struck the city.
People want to know when an earthquake is coming. Then they could get away safely. Right now, there is no sure way to know ahead of time. Maybe the best idea is watching the animals.
We cannot stop earthquakes, but we can do things to make sure they do not destroy (破坏) whole cities. First, it is not a 1 idea to build houses along the lines where2of the earth's plates join together. Second, if you think there 3 be an earthquake, it is better to build houses on rock, not on 4. Third, you must make the houses as 5 as possible. Weak buildings will fall down in an earthquake, but strong ones may 6.
Scientists are 7 that one day an even bigger earthquake will hit the part around S an Francisco. They call it “The Big One”. But people today are still building more 8. The population in and around San Francisco 9 is ten times more than it was in 1906. This means that 10 there is another earthquake, a great many houses and buildings will be destroyed.
