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Massive Eruption of Undersea Volcano in Tonga
On Saturday, an underwater volcano erupted in the South Pacific Ocean near Tonga. The damage in Tonga isn’t fully known yet. But the massive explosion raised concerns of tsunamis all through the Pacific and as far away as the west coast of the United States.
Huge Lightning Flashes Set New Records
On Tuesday, the United Nations’ weather agency reported on the longest lightning flash ever recorded. The lightning bolt shot through the sky over the US in 2020, crossing three states. It covered a total distance of 477 miles (768 kilometers).
Drought Causes Flooded Spanish Village to Appear Again
In 1992, five villages in Galicia, Spain were flooded on purpose when a river was dammed up to create a large reservoir. Now, because of a drought, low levels of water have revealed much of one of those villages, rising out of the water like a ghost village.
US West’s ‘Megadrought’ is Worst in 1,200 Years
The Western United States has been struggling with a serious drought for years. A new study shows that this “megadrought” is the most serious dry period to hit the area in 1,200 years. The report makes it clear that climate change has made the drought worse.
Nations Agree on Treaty to Fight Plastic Pollution
Last Wednesday, people representing 175 countries reached a historic agreement to tackle the problems of plastic. The deal will lead to a treaty that could help clean up plastic pollution around the world, and even put limits on new plastic in the future.
Dust From Sahara Turns Spain’s Skies Orange
Air from the Sahara laden with dust creates a strong 'calima' in Almeria on March 14, 2022. A row of palm trees poke into an eerily orange sky as cars drive with their headlights on in midday.
Over the last two days, much of Spain has been coated with dust, and the skies have turned bright orange. A huge cloud of dust from the Sahara Desert is causing the strange weather. The dust cloud is expected to spread to other parts of Europe.
UN Report on Climate Crisis: Now or Never
In early April, a United Nations climate group released a 3,000 page report on climate change. The report details actions that must be taken quickly to avoid the worst effects of the crisis. As one of the report’s authors put it, “It’s now or never.”
Over 20% of Reptile Species at Risk of Going Extinct
A recent scientific report says that more than one-fifth of the world’s reptiles are at risk of dying out. The main threat to reptiles is the loss of their natural homes, as humans take over more and more natural areas.
Monsoon Rains Cause Deadly Flooding in Pakistan
Flooding across Pakistan caused by monsoon rains has killed over 1,000 people and forced more than 33 million people from their homes. The government has declared a national emergency and asked for help from other countries.
注释：
Tonga: n
表示“ 汤加（太平洋西南部一国家） ”，means "a monarchy on a Polynesian archipelago in the South Pacific; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1970 “，如：Nobody goes hungry or homeless in Tonga. 在汤加，没有人挨饿，也没有人无家可归。
Megaflash: n
表示“巨大闪电”，属于复合词。其中Mega: 表示“巨大的”， 譬如：He was mega popular with the fans. 他非常受粉丝欢迎。
megadrought：n
如上词megaflash 一样，同类复合词，表示“巨大干旱”
treaty：n
表示“ 条约；协定”，means " an agreement made between countries“，如：The treaty gave (a) fresh impetus to trade. 这条约使双方的贸易又推进了一步。
同义词辨析：
treaty指在外交谈判后按国际公法签署的正式条约
pact用来指国家、团体或个人之间的“协定”，,在重要性和约束力上都比treaty弱
contract通常用于双方或多方订立的“契约”,为正式的,有法定效力。
agreement泛指人与人之间、团体或国家之间达成的任何“合同,协定”,包括正式的或非正式的、书面的或口头上的;
calima: n
表示“ 沙漠薄雾”，means "a dust storm in the Canary Islands region, originating from the Sahara desert “.
eerily: ad
表示“ 怪诞的；可怕的；”，means " inspiring a feeling of fear; strange and frightening“，如：The sky had an eerie yellow-orange hue, with the sun glowing behind a peculiar haze. 天空呈现出怪诞的橘黄色调，太阳隐在一层奇异的雾霭后透出昏黄的光晕。
Reptile: n
表示“ 爬行动物 ”，means "a rough-skinned creature whose blood changes temperature according to the temperature around it “，如：Strictly speaking,a slow-worm is a kind of reptile. 严格地说，蛇晰是一种爬行动物。
Iguana: n
表示“鼠鳞蜥”，means “large herbivorous tropical American arboreal lizards with a spiny crest along the back ", 如：An iguana can stay under water for 28 minutes. 鼠鳞蜥可以在水里呆28分钟。
Monsoon: n
1. 表示“ 季风 ”，means "a seasonal wind in southern Asia; blows from the southwest (bringing rain) in summer and from the northeast in winter “，如：The ship beat back against a monsoon. 船逆着季风艰难地行驶。
2. 表示“雨季 ”，means " rainy season in southern Asia when the southwestern monsoon blows, bringing heavy rains“，如：The monsoon will run to the end of the next month. 雨季会持续到下个月底。
Prominent: adj
表示“ 显著的；杰出的 ”，means " noticeable; easily seen “，如：That school is prominent in baseball. 那个学校以棒球著称。
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