A major earthquake measuring 8.0 Richter Scale attacked Wenchuan County of Sichuan province at 14:28:04 on 12 May 2008. The epicenter of the quake was located 31.0 degrees north latitude and 103.4 degrees east longitude. It is believed to be the largest earthquake since 1949.

　　水电站 hydroelectric plant

　　次生地质灾害 secondary geological disaster

　　堰塞湖 quake lake，barrier lake，dammed lake

　　山体滑坡 mountain landslide

　　残奥会 Paralympic Games

　　生命探测仪 life detection instrument

　　在2008年5月12日之前你可能没听说过汶川这个地方，但这之后“汶川地震”都会是几代中国人无法忘记的名词。

　　 You may never heard about WenChuan befor 12 May 2008, but the word "WenChuan Earthquake" will never be forgotten by the Chinese people.
　　2008年5月19日至21日期间，全国和各驻外机构下半旗志哀，停止公共娱乐活动，外交部和我国驻外使领馆设立吊唁簿。5月19日14时28分起，全国人民默哀3分钟，届时汽车、火车、舰船鸣笛，防空警报鸣响。

　　From May 19 through 21, all national flags will fly at half-mast at home and Chinese diplomatic missions abroad. During this period, all public amusement will be suspended, and condolence books will be opened in China's Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassies and consulates around the world. At 2:28 p.m. 19 May, Chinese citizens nationwide will stand in silence for three minutes to mourn for the victims, while air raid sirens and horns of automobiles, trains and ships will wail in grief.

　　无数的灾难片中，直升机绝对是极好的求援工具。今天的“直升机”觉得特别的神圣，它承载的是生命的希望，被亲切的称为“吉祥鸟”。
　　
　　In many disaster films, helicopter is the first choice for rescue activity, and it is more grand today. As the hope of life, a helicopter is often called a "lucky bird".

　　四川地震英语作文 网友选出经典句型排行
http://www.yingyu.com/yingyuxuexi/yingyuzuowen/2008-06-05/53570.shtml

　　是中国半个世纪历史上可以数得出的难过日，全体国人化悲痛为力量的情怀，在这一日也空前高涨：“中国，加油！”“四川，加油！”不管未来怎样，这一日受到的震撼，给70、80、90后年轻一代上了绝对难忘的一课。

　　This day is among the saddest ones which we could count by our hands in New China's history. The determination of converting sorrows into strength of all the Chinese people are rising:"China,come on!""SiChuan,come on!" No matter how future will be, the terrible disaster which happened this day ,will give the 70s,80s,and 90s a good lessen.

　　能直升直落及在空中停留的航空器，螺旋桨装在机身的上部，作水平方向旋转，可在小面积场地起落。

　　An air craftwhich which can take off and land vertically in a small area without the need for runways. The propellers is installed in the top of the helicopter, circumrotate flatly.

　　国务院2008年5月18日发布公告宣布，为表达全国各族人民对四川汶川大地震遇难同胞的深切哀悼，国务院决定，2008年5月19日至21日为全国哀悼日。

　　On 18 May 2008,the Sate Council of China declared the three days between 19th to 21st of May are set as official days of deeply mourning for quake victims.

　　重大自然灾害中紧急救援的常用方式，常带给受灾人们获救的无限希望，也被老百姓尊称为“吉祥鸟” 。

　　A common rescue way in great nature disasters, which brings suffers great hope, also called "lucky bird".

　　一群男女老少，从四面八方跑了过来，向着直升机，齐刷刷跪下。老人们在哭泣，含混不清说，“吉祥鸟来了，我们有救了。”-- 来源：四川新闻网

　　 Running from eveywhere, women and men, olds and youngs, all fell on their knees toward the helicopter. The olds are crying and murmuring:"It's the lucky bird. We are saved."--from Sichuan News

　　fly a flag at half-mast

　　例句

　　汶川地震哀悼日全国降半旗志哀。

　　Flags were at half mast everywhere on the day of mourning for victims of Wenchuan earthquake.

　　地震中的生命在72小时中如何度过：一方黑暗、恐惧、饥饿、希望、失望、再希望；另一方担忧、懊恼、祈祷、无畏、决绝。每个人都在与“72小时”赛跑，它还在继续着…… 

　　How does a life survive an earthquake, especilly in the first 72 hours: dark, fear, hunger, hope,then lose hope and regain hope; in another point, worry, chagrin, then pray, boldness... Everyone is racing with the "72 hours", as it goes on...
　　

　　 时间单位，指3个平均太阳日。

　　unit of time, 3 mean solar days.

　　① 地震等重大自然灾害发生后抢救生命的黄金时间，也被冠以生命的“黄金72小时”。

　　The golden time in saving lives after nature disasters as earthquake, also called "golden seventy-two hours".

　　【例句】我们知道72小时的“黄金救援时间”，但我们宁愿相信超过72小时的等待和坚持，相信生命的顽强毅力。-- 来源：东方今报

　　Sample:we all konw about golden seventy-two hours of saving lives, but we would rather believe the waiting ,persisting and perseverance of life after seventy-two hours 

　　② 灾害发生后救助生命的紧急性和迫切要求。

　　The urgency of saving lives after disasters. 

　　【例句】黄金般的72小时！生命在等待，大地震救援行动规模在持续扩大，爱心、哀恸、感动、坚强、勇敢……在汇集与交织，礼赞生命。