原文视听

I sometimes worry there's a snake under here.
我有时会担心下面有蛇
Not this time.
这次没有
There is an element of, er,
这有一点点
a Heath Robinson contraption about it.
像个荒谬的小发明
It's a very simple gadget,
它是个非常简单的装置
it's a cylinder with, um, a rod,
一个装了个铁轴的圆柱容器
the rod is connected across from the other side of the fault.
这根铁轴从断层的另一边连过来
When the fault slips
当断层滑动
it pulls this rod away
就会拉动这根铁轴
from the metal sensor.
偏离这个金属感应器
It has a range of about, er...
它可拉伸的长度大约是
This one is about 30mm
大约是30毫米
and so because there's 7mm of slip each year,
这里每年会有7毫米的滑动
about every four years I have to reset it.
大约每四年我会重设一次
But first, download the data.
不过 先要将数据下载下来
I'll get my computer out.
我把电脑拿出来
7mm of slip might not sound like much
7毫米的滑移也许不算什么
but it could have a devastating effect.
但可能会带来毁灭性的后果
150km up the fault in San Francisco
在旧金山断层以上150千米处
the tectonic plates are locked,
构造板块被卡住
and eventually this pent-up energy
下面积蓄的能量最后
will be released in the form of an earthquake.
会以地震的形式释放

重点解释

There is an element of, er,这有一点点

an element of:一点点, 少许

There's an element of truth in his story.

他说的有些道理。

There's always an element of danger in mountain climbing.

登山总是有些危险的。

the rod is connected across from the other side of the fault.这根铁轴从断层的另一边连过来

arcoss from:在 ... 对过； 在 ... 对面

Just across from our house there's a school.

就在我们房子的对面有一所学校。

The post office is just across from the club.

邮局就在那俱乐部对面。

it pulls this rod away from the metal sensor.就会拉动这根铁轴偏离这个金属感应器

pull away from: 把某物从 ... 拉开； 使脱离

She tried to pull away from the man who was holding her.

她企图从抓着她的那个男人那儿挣脱出来。

The limousine pulled away from the curb.

轿车驶离了路边