Earthquake Shakes Nagasaki and Kumamoto in Japan
Listen to the story
An earthquake hit Japan today. It happened near Kumamoto. The magnitude was 4.9. Magnitude shows how big an earthquake is.
People felt strong shaking in Nagasaki and Kumamoto. The shaking level was intensity 4. Intensity shows how strong the shaking feels on the ground.
In Isahaya city, people saw dust come from Mount Unzen. This mountain is called Mount Eboshi in the news. People also felt shaking in Unzen city.
There is no tsunami danger. A tsunami is a big wave from the sea after an earthquake. Officials said people do not need to worry about it.
The earthquake happened in the Amakusa and Ashikita area. This is part of Kumamoto prefecture. A prefecture is like a state or region in Japan.
Vocabulary15 words
- earthquake
- shaking of the ground
- magnitude
- a number showing how big an earthquake is
- intensity
- how strong shaking feels where you are
- tsunami
- a big dangerous wave from the sea
- prefecture
- a region or area in Japan
- region
- a part of a country
- dust
- small dry bits in the air
- mountain
- very high land
- shaking
- moving fast side to side
- danger
- a chance of harm
- officials
- people who work for the government
- warning
- a message about danger
- ground
- the land under your feet
- area
- a place or space
- level
- how much or how strong something is
Quiz
Answer key
1. 4.9 2. No 3. A mountain
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
An _____ hit Japan today. It happened near Kumamoto. The _____ was 4.9.
People felt strong shaking in Nagasaki and Kumamoto. The shaking level was _____ 4.
In Isahaya city, people saw _____ come from Mount Unzen.
There is no _____ danger. Officials said people do not need to _____ about it.
The earthquake happened in the Amakusa and Ashikita _____. This is part of Kumamoto _____.