An agency of Japan’s government recently gave its first-ever "megaquake advisory," or warning message.

日本一个政府机构最近发布了有史以来的第一个“特大地震警报”或预警信息。

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued the warning after a powerful quake struck on August 8 off the southeastern coast of Japan’s main island of Kyushu.

日本气象厅在8月8日日本主要岛屿九州东南海岸发生强烈地震后发布了警告。

The magnitude 7.1 quake caused no deaths or severe damage, but the advisory has led to questions and a sense of worry.

7.1级地震并未造成人员死亡或严重破坏，但该警报引发了人们的疑问和担忧。

Japan is among the countries most hit by earthquakes.

日本是地震受灾最严重的国家之一。

Now many citizens are wondering about when the next big quake will hit.

现在，许多市民都在想，下一次大地震什么时候会发生。

The Associated Press recently explained what the advisory means, what people are being told to do:

JMA issued the advisory after deciding that the August 8 quake increased the likelihood of another major quake.

美联社最近解释了该警告的含义，以及人们被告知要做的事情：日本气象局认为 8 月 8 日的地震增加了再次发生大地震的可能性，因此发布了这一警报。

The agency said there is a 70 to 80 percent chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake associated with an area called the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years.

该机构称，在未来 30 年内，在一个名为南海海槽的地区发生 8 级或 9 级地震的可能性为 70% 至 80%。

The JMA said the probability of such an event is now "higher than normal."

日本气象厅表示，这种事件发生的概率现在“高于正常水平”。

Naoshi Hirata is a seismologist at the University of Tokyo and head of the JMA's group of experts.

平田直是东京大学的地震学家，也是日本气象厅专家组的负责人。

He said that the warning was not a prediction that a megaquake will happen at any specific time or place. He urged people to remain careful and prepared.

他称，这一警告并不是预测在任何特定时间或地点会发生特大地震。他敦促人们保持谨慎，做好准备。

The Nankai Trough is an undersea trench, or a deep valley on the ocean floor, that runs from the waters just off the southeastern coast of Kyushu, to Suruga Bay in central Japan. It is about 800 kilometers long.

南开海槽是一条大约800公里长的海底海沟，或者说是海底的一个深谷，从九州东南海岸附近的水域一直延伸到日本中部的骏河湾。

Two large areas of the Earth’s surface, the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet there.

地球表面的两个大区域，菲律宾海板块和欧亚板块在那里交汇。

The Philippine plate slowly pulls down on the Eurasian plate and causes it to release energy from time to time.

菲律宾板块缓慢地向下拉动欧亚板块，并导致其不时释放能量。

The JMA said that could lead to a megaquake and tsunami.

日本气象厅表示，这可能导致特大地震和海啸。

The last Nankai Trough quake was off Shikoku in 1946.

上一次的南开海槽地震发生在1946年的四国岛附近。

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated its magnitude to be 8.3, and more than 1,400 people died.

美国地质调查局估计其震级为8.3级，超过1400人死亡。

As a result of the "megaquake advisory," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled a trip and announced he would lead the government response.

由于“特大地震警报”，日本首相岸田文雄取消了一次行程，并宣布他将领导政府的应对工作。

Local governments are studying their emergency plans.

地方政府正在研究他们的应急预案。

Experts and officials have urged people to stay calm and to continue normal life but to prepare for a possible evacuation.

专家和官员们敦促人们保持冷静，继续正常生活，但要为可能的疏散做好准备。

JMA experts said on August 12 they have so far found no abnormal activity that would suggest a megaquake.

日本气象厅专家于8月12日表示，他们迄今尚未发现任何异常活动，表明会发生特大地震。

The "megaquake advisory” is filled with scientific terms. It has worried people across the country.

“特大地震警报”中充满了科学术语气息，让全国人民都感到担忧。

Some towns closed beaches and canceled yearly events.

一些城镇关闭了海滩，并取消了年度活动。

This has led to problems for travelers during Japan's Obon holiday week, a time for festivals and fireworks across the nation.

恰逢日本盂兰盆节期间，全国各地都会举行节日庆典和焰火晚会，但是这一警报给游客们造成了困扰。

Some stores are running out of emergency supplies, even in areas where there is little risk.

一些商店的应急物资已经卖完了，即使是在风险较小的地区也是如此。

In the vacation town of Matsuyama city on the island of Shikoku, hotels and resorts studied their evacuation plans and emergency equipment.

在四国岛的度假城市松山市，酒店和度假村研究了他们的疏散计划和应急设备。

In another seaside town, Shirahama, outdoor hot springs were closed for a week and a fireworks festival was cancelled.

在另一个海滨城镇白滨，户外温泉关闭了一周，烟花节也被取消。

I’m Jill Robbins.

我是吉尔·罗宾斯。